close up, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, bumped soon after start, headway when not much room well over 1f out, soon switched right, not much room again inside final furlong, kept on and not much room towards finish
mid-division, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, towards rear and pushed along, ridden and headway over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
behind and soon switched left after start, never dangerous
towards rear and outpaced, headway to go in touch halfway, one pace from over 1f out
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened towards finish
Handsome Cross is worth chancing in this company and gets the nod over Welcome Approach and Divine Spirit. The consistent Strensall is another to bear in mind, but he is 5lb higher in the weights than for last month's course and distance success and he appears to need luck on his side. Divine Spirit has never been the easiest horse to predict but still holds enough ability to keep paying his way in races of this nature. Royston Ffrench knows him well and the partnership hold solid each-way claims once more. Welcome Approach has been banging on the door lately and fully deserves a change of fortune. His two previous career wins have been over c&d, so he also has to merit the utmost respect. Nevertheless, his odds are likely to be cramped for a horse on a 22-race losing run; so the value appears to lay elsewhere. With Handsome Cross making the most appeal on this occasion. The David Nicholls-trained gelding has faced some smart performers this season, so his form figures do not really do him justice. A winner here of a 1lb lower mark last season, Handsome Cross is on a very handy rating just now. And, with all of Derek Nolan's quartet set to race from out of the weights, the six-year-old will have very few equals if he puts his best foot forward today.
Sir Nod 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 14, 7l behind Buachaill Dona (9-10) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Handsome Cross (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders until ridden and lost place over 2f out, 12th of 13, 8l behind Coconut Moon (8-6) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Blazing Heights 20-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride and behind, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 15th of 16, 6l behind Indian Trail (9-7) at Haydock 5f hcap (2) gf.
Divine Spirit 10-1 (9-3) In touch, effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 15, 2l behind Glasshoughton (9-7) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
Windjammer 14-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 7th of 13, 4l behind Coconut Moon (8-6) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Welcome Approach 3-1jt-fav (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Methaaly (8-10) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Strensall 16-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Methaaly (8-10) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Rothesay Dancer 12-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway and every chance entering final furlong, weakened, 6th of 12, 4l behind Methaaly (8-10) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Vondova 40-1 (8-9) Chased leaders far side group until halfway, 16th of 17, 15l behind Quicks The Word (8-11) at Newcastle 6f hcap (6) gf.
Mutayam 33-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 5th of 9, 5l behind Throw The Dice (8-2) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Alfie Lee (IRE) 66-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 9l behind Danish Blues (9-5) at Musselburgh 5f sll (6) gd in Aug.
Compton Lad 66-1 (9-4) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, challenged approaching final furlong, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 7l behind Beechside (8-12) at Newcastle 5f mdn stk (5) gf.
