behind far side, ridden over 1f out, never on terms
chased leaders far side, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, no impression final furlong
chased leaders stands side, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong
behind stands side, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
led stands side group, ridden and headed well over 1f out, no extra final furlong
behind stands side, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
chased leaders far side, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
behind stands side, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
behind stands side, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression
made all far side, clear over 1f out, driven out, comfortably
chased leaders far side, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
chased leaders stands side, ridden and outpace over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
behind stands side, ridden over 1f out, never on terms
chased leaders far side, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, never dangerous
behind stands side, never dangerous
chased leaders far side, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, no impression
chased winner far side, ridden and lost place over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leader stands side, ridden to lead that side well over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no chance with far side winner
A tough start to the card and from a shortlist of CROFT BRIDGE, Wikijura, Drinking Buddy and Masked Dance we will side with Croft Bridge. The selection was dropped into this grade last time out and he ran well to finish a close fifth behind Melody In The Mist at Musselburgh. That was only his second run so there should be plenty more to come and from a decent draw he can get his head in front. Wikijura ran his best race yet at Hamilton last time but he has already disappointed several times in this grade and he clearly has his limitations. Drinking Buddy has been in fair form and he remains unexposed but his high draw would be a slight cause for concern. Masked Dance went close last time out at Hamilton when he chased home Sands Of Dee on heavy ground. He is by Captain Rio so this faster ground is not sure to suit and on that basis we will take him on. An open event and narrow preference is for Croft Bridge.
Ainthegorgeous 50-1 (9-3) Chased leaders 2f, mid-division, outpaced over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 21l behind Tominator (9-3) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd.
Azzez Life 125-1 (9-3) Always behind, last of 9, 15l behind Astrophysical Jet (8-12) at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf.
Blue Emirate 40-1 (9-3) Close up, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 7, 21l behind Contract Caterer (9-3) at Catterick 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jul.
Countrywide Ice (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 14l behind Sands Of Dee (8-8) at Hamilton 6f 2yo clm (6) hvy.
Croft Bridge 12-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Melody In The Mist (8-12) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo sll (6) sft.
Daft Lad 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on, no impression, 7th of 12, 6l behind Theymistim (8-13) at Beverley 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd.
Drinking Buddy 3-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 7, 3l behind Gold Fix (8-6) at Catterick 7f 2yo sll (6) gf.
Joel The Mole 28-1 (9-0) Chased leaders to halfway, last of 11, 27l behind Saxby (9-0) at Thirsk 6f 2yo sll (5) gf in Jun.
Kwami Biscuit 9-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 12th of 14, 19l behind Alphacino (9-0) at Thirsk 7f 2yo clm (4) gd in Jul.
Masked Dance (IRE) 11-2 (8-10) Led, ridden and hung right from over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on under strong pressure, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Sands Of Dee (8-8) at Hamilton 6f 2yo clm (6) hvy.
Step To It (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Always rear division, 12th of 14, 37l behind Anjomarba (8-6) at York 6f 2yo sll (4) gs in Jun.
Wijikura (IRE) 11-2 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 12, 5l behind Theymistim (8-13) at Beverley 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd.
Al Barq (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 13l behind Ibmab (8-11) at Yarmouth 7f 2yo clm (6) gd.
Baze Mac 66-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 10l behind Take Ten (9-3) at Thirsk 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd.
Blade Of Glory 100-1 (8-5) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 14l behind Timely Jazz (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (4) pol.
Cygnet Committee (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Held up, smooth headway 3f out, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra near finish, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Rescent (8-4) at Newcastle 7f 2yo clm (6) gf.
Gasparilla (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Went slightly right and bumped start, prominent, ridden well over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 8l behind Wanchai Whisper (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo fll sell stks (5) pol.
Just The Tonic 9-1 (8-13) Dwelt, soon mid-division, driven over 2f out, beaten when slightly hampered just inside final 2f, 12th of 13, 15l behind Russian Davis (8-10) at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
One Cool Deal (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Always outpaced, towards rear, 9th of 10, 27l behind Agent Boo (9-1) at Ayr 6f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) sft.
Hachi 10-3fav (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 15, 3l behind Arken Lad (8-11) at Yarmouth 6f 2yo sll (6) gd in Jul.
