always towards rear
chased leader, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders and keen, saddle soon slipped after start, weakened over 4f out
held up behind, some late headway well over 1f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on
chased leaders on inner, not much room over 2f out, one pace
always towards rear
in touch, weakened over 1f out
in touch, weakened over 2f out
always behind
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, one pace
mid-division, lost place over 2f out
slowly into stride, in rear, stayed on from over 1f out
chased leaders, one pace from over 1f out
led, headed well over 2f out, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, led well over 3f out, kept on, headed towards finish
Force Group may now be in the grip of the handicapper and although his rider's claim helps, we will jump ship and snuggle up under the covers with AHLAWY. The selection currently has a rating of 68 and in recent runs has suggested that a win may be just around the corner. Having won off a mark of 72 in the past he looks well-treated and he gets our vote. King Fingal was a winner at Thirsk earlier in the season but two recent efforts have been poor and he'll need to improve for the step back up to this trip. Packers Hill may be happier back at this trip, whilst Five Wishes has been holding his form well all season and despite looking high enough in the weights he shouldn't be far away. Pitbull won the race last year off a mark of 56 but is 7lbs higher twelve months on, whilst Blushing Heart and Along The Nile should improve for recent outings. Black Coffee is an interesting one on his handicap debut despite being related to several sprinters, however it is Ahlawy who gets the nomination.
Along The Nile 50-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, always behind, 14th of 15, 43l behind Expresso Star (8-13) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Force Group (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (9-5) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, not reached leaders, 4th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Mistress Eva (8-7) at Newbury 1m 3f app hcp (5) gs.
My Paris 16-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway on inside 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 13, 13l behind Maria di Scozia (9-4) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Cote d'Argent 28-1 (9-4) Always behind, 8th of 15, 19l behind Ben Chorley (9-1) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Apr.
King Fingal (IRE) 33-1 (7-11) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 12th of 23, 12l behind Charlie Tipple (8-9) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) gd.
Ahlawy (IRE) 7-2fav (9-3) Led, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, headed last strides, 2nd of 13, shd behind Mick's Dancer (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Five Wishes 11-2 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Superior Star (8-8) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
Blushing Heart 200-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden and some headway 3f out, never nearer, 5th of 11, 7l behind Red Jade (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f mdn stk (5) sft.
Packers Hill (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up, went prominent halfway, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 6l behind Grandad Bill (8-7) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Graceful Descent (FR) 12-1 (8-4) Dwelt, held up, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind The Oil Magnate (8-12) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Sept.
Zuwaar 10-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden 4f out, no impression final 2f, 9th of 16, 18l behind Black Rain (9-4) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Night Orbit 50-1 (8-12) Chased leader, every chance over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Wiggy Smith (9-8) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Lilburn (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, switched right over 2f out, ridden, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 8th of 14, 4l behind Shanzu (9-1) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft in Sept.
Pitbull 15-2 (8-9) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway on inside over 3f out, not clear run well over 1f out, every chance 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, not, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Starlight Gazer (8-6) at Warwick 1m.
Black Coffee 15-2 (9-3) Held up, headway to go 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 6l behind French Art (9-3) at Windsor 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gs in Aug.
Rahere (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Steadied start, pulled hard early, mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 15, 42l behind Andaman Sunset (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Sept.
Dream of Olwyn (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Held up, chased winner over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 14, 10l behind Jaadull (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd.
