mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong
dwelt, always behind
mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
behind, driven over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, never nearer
raced keenly and led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
reared start, behind when switched left halfway, outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, headway 2f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, stayed on well
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra
behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression
chased leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
mid-division, driven over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong
tracked leader, ridden and lost place over 2f out, weakened and eased final furlong
mid-division, driven and headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to chase winner final furlong
hood removed late, dwelt and always behind
We will take a chance on AUSSIE BLUE in this ultra-competitive handicap and he is preferred to the likes of Spinning, Ninth House and Middlemarch. The draw is a big plus for our selection as is the fact that he has won over this course and distance. He wasn't beaten far at Beverley last time when he showed enough to suggest that his turn would not be far away and he could prove the value call. Spinning is another with a good draw but he was well beaten at Ripon earlier in the month and it is hard to be too bullish about his chance today off the back of that run. Middlemarch hails from a yard in decent form and he ticks plenty of boxes as he has a good draw and he is another who can boast winning course and distance form. However, he was well beaten in a claimer last time so he has a bit to prove at present. Ninth House has scored over this course and distance but he does most of his winning at Wolverhampton and although Ruth Carr's stable have had a great season, he may find this company a little too hot. The draw is a negative for Observatory Star, and we will stick with Aussie Blue as the choice.
Observatory Star (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Held up, outpaced 3f out, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, always held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Just Bond (9-5) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Moves Goodenough 33-1 (9-7) Towards rear, tailed off 4f out, last of 11, well behind Moheebb (10-0) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Veiled Applause 12-1 (9-9) Towards rear, headway on inner over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 14, 5l behind Exit Smiling (9-8) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Kiwi Bay 10-1 (9-12) Prominent, went 2nd over 1f out, kept inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Mujaadel (9-6) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Aflaam (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Held up in last pair, pushed along over 3f out, headway on outside 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Wannabe King (9-5) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Brasingaman Hifive 10-1 (8-13) Held up, mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Invincible Force (9-11) at Chester 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Spinning 20-1 (9-0) Soon pushed along in rear, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 7l behind Chapter And Verse (8-9) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Hyde Lea Flyer 16-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, in touch, pushed along over 3f out, soon beaten, last of 10, 16l behind Marning Star (8-13) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Barataria 10-1 (10-5) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway from 3f out, soon chased leader, ridden over 1f out, led final 100 yards, won at Yarmouth 1m ladies hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul beating Whotsit (9-0) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Arizona John (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Mid-division ridden headway and hung left over 1f out, soon chased winner, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 16, 4l behind Kaolak (9-9) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Templetuohy Max (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 11, 7l behind Moheebb (10-0) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Hartshead 25-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on to chase leaders inside final furlong, not reached leading pair, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind My Gacho (9-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Ninth House (USA) 11-4fav (8-13) Held up, headway over 1f out, soon switched right, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol beating Gazboolou (9-2) by 1l, 11 ran.
Snow Dancer (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Took keen hold, held up, no headway final 2f, 7th of 11, 5l behind Bazergan (9-7) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Middlemarch (IRE) 11-2 (8-8) Held up, outpaced over 3f out, never able to challenge, 5th of 9, 15l behind Fremen (9-13) at Hamilton 1m clm stks (6) gs.
Intersky Charm (USA) 5-1 (8-12) In touch, chased winner over 2f out, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Reel Buddy Star (9-5) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Dancing Jest (IRE) 11-8fav (10-0) Chased leader, pushed along 4f out, ridden and lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 9l behind Make Amends (9-3) at Folkestone 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Aussie Blue (IRE) 11-1 (9-12) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, 4th of 15, 2 1/4l behind Union Jack Jackson (8-7) at Beverley 7f clm stks (5) gd.
Rainbow Zest 50-1 (9-13) Held up, weakened 2f out, 13th of 16, 24l behind Moody Tunes (10-11) at Carlisle 1m ladies hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Active Asset (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride and always in rear, 13th of 14, 32l behind Exit Smiling (9-8) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
