lost touch 4th, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
in touch, headway after 4th, ridden to challenge after 3 out, held when went left last
chased leaders, ridden after 5th, weakened after 3 out
prominent until after 4th, soon behind
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace
in touch, went 2nd after 4th until next, soon ridden, weakened 3 out
held up, some headway when pecked 5th, weakened 3 out
held up, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
made all, ridden after 2 out, stayed on strongly, comfortably
Escobar gets the call over Classi Maureen, Unicorn Reward and Ocean Pride in the opener on the card. This could be a case of top versus bottom dominating proceedings here, with the runners at the opposite ends of the handicap, Escobar and Classi Maureen both lining up on the back of last-time out victories. Escobar gave weight away all round when hacking up in a lady riders' handicap hurdle at Fakenham the other week, and has since run in a similar race on the Flat at Newmarket. With Timmy Murphy taking over in the saddle, Pru Townsley's charge will be a popular choice. Classi Maureen did us a favour when bolting up at Uttoxeter four days ago, and although set to shoulder a 7lb penalty, looks well treated enough to take a hand. Unicorn Reward and Ocean Pride hail from top stables but both have their share of weight for what they have achieved, but Inchcape Rock is progressing and might go well at a price. For the winner though we return to Escobar.
Escobar (POL) 7-2jt-fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led after 2 out, driven clear last, won at Fakenham 2m ldy hcp hdl (5) gf in May beating Just Beware (10-11) by 5l, 8 ran.
Unicorn Reward (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 3 out, weakened next, eased flat, 11th of 14, 28l behind Hi Dancer (10-13) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Ocean Pride (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Towards rear, behind from 3rd, weakened 6th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Super Sensation (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in May, 9 ran.
Le Corvee (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 8l behind Easy Laughter (11-11) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May.
Inchcape Rock 25-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd approaching last, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 14, 18l behind Silverhay (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Mister Right (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leader, every chance approaching 2 out, kept on one pace flat, 4th of 16, 5l behind Moon Star (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
Entailment 17-2 (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed before next, kept on, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Silverhay (11-0) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Classi Maureen 9-2 (9-11) Made all, clear 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf beating Alina Rheinberg (11-9) by 10l, 13 ran.
