prominent, pushed along 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed, no extra towards finish
mid-division, pushed along halfway, soon weakened
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, headway halfway, ridden to challenge over 1f out, no extra towards finish
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 2 out, headway and effort 1f out, stayed on well final furlong to lead near finish
tracked leaders, weakened 2f out
towards rear, never dangerous
Nonrunner
Crocodile Bay looks good enough to win again at the expense of Kafuu and Cornus. The selection does carry a six pound penalty for winning at Beverley last time but he has won at this track in the past albeit over a furlong further. He has also won off higher in the past so connections are keen to try and score again before the handicapper has a chance to reassess him. Kafu is unexposed with only four runs under his belt. His latest second to Justcallmehandsome on the all weather at Wolverhampton reads well and as he still looks well treated on his current mark he has to be treated with respect also. Cornus has been running consistently well without getting his head in front of late. The handicapper has done little to drop him in the ratings as a result so another placed effort at best is expected. So for the winner we return to Crocodile Bay.
Crocodile Bay (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Led after 1f, made rest, clear entering final furlong, comfortably, won at Beverley 1m hcap (3) gf beating Nevada Desert (9-1) by 6l, 4 ran.
Cornus 5-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Charles Darwin (9-2) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Middlemarch (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Held up behind, effort 2f out, ridden and no extra final furlong, 6th of 10, 5l behind Southandwest (9-4) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Piper's Song (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 6l behind The Kiddykid (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Sadeek 14-1 (8-10) Went left start, soon mid-division, driven 2f out, no impression, 5th of 13, 7l behind Valery Borzov (9-0) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Viva Volta 40-1 (8-6) Chased leader, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 13l behind Tajneed (9-0) at Ripon 6f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Balakiref 8-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, soon prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 10l behind Toms Laughter (9-0) at Leicester 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Ancient Cross 12-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 7l behind Yes One (8-9) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Yorkshire Blue 9-1 (8-10) Always behind, 9th of 11, 8l behind Stellite (8-10) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Handsome Falcon 15-2 (8-5) Towards rear and soon chased along, never troubled leaders, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Namir (8-1) at Beverley 5f hcap (4) gd.
Neon Blue 14-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon held, 8th of 15, 16l behind Unlimited (8-2) at Chepstow 7f hcap (5) gd.
Jalamid (IRE) 28-1 (8-5) Held up behind, short-lived effort on outside over 2f out, ridden and weakened 1f out, last of 10, 13l behind Southandwest (9-4) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Kafuu (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Led, ridden over 1f out, soon hung right, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Justcallmehandsome (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
