held up towards rear, ridden along and headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
in touch, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong
switched right at start and held up, headway over 2f out, led 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, soon beaten
held up, ridden along halfway, headway over 1f out, driven and kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, driven to lead approaching final furlong, kept on until headed close home
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
This is a competitive handicap and Geojimali, Makshoof and Dickie Le Davoir make most appeal with the vote given to Makshoof. The selection is a course and distance winner and there was plenty to like about the way he scored last time out when he beat Kashimin here. That was on fast ground but he is proven on a heavy surface and he should be difficult to beat. Geojimali is another that won well last time when he got the better of Pawan at Newcastle. He will handle the ground and he has to be respected. Dickie Le Davoir is in good heart at present and he has got winning form on heavy ground. However, he is probably better on a faster surface and for that reason we will take him on. Balakiref is better than he has been showing recently, but he has his conditions here and is respected. However, for the winner we will stick with Makshoof .
Geojimali 16-1 (8-9) Raced far side, held up in rear, switched right, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead post, won at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Jun beating Pawan (8-11) by a hd, 14 ran.
Bonnie Prince Blue 40-1 (8-1) Tracked leader to over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong, 9th of 12, 12l behind Baby Strange (8-6) at Newbury 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Dickie Le Davoir 16-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, led entering final furlong, kept on, won at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd beating Grazeon Gold Blend (9-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Topflightcoolracer 18-1 (8-1) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 4l behind Aegean Dancer (9-1) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov.
Makshoof (IRE) 5-1fav (9-10) Mid-division, chased leaders over 2f out, led well inside final furlong, held on towards finish, won at Haydock 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd beating Kashimin (9-9) by a nk, 17 ran.
Tudor Prince (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened last 100 yards, 8th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Makshoof (9-10) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Rabbit Fighter (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Raced keenly, in touch, unable to quicken over 1f out, ran on towards finish, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Cheveton (9-10) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Balakiref 8-1 (9-2) Dwelt, towards rear, outpaced halfway, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Miss Daawe (8-9) at Carlisle 6f app hcp (5) gd.
Steel Blue 11-1 (9-2) Led stands' side group after 1f until headed well inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Ursus (8-2) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Jun.
Bel Cantor 15-2 (9-0) With leaders, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 15l behind John Keats (8-10) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
