in touch, swished tail and chased winner over 1f out, stayed on
held up in touch, effort over 1f out, wandered under pressure inside final furlong, one pace
always behind
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always behind
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on near finish
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, stayed on same pace
made all, ridden out
held up, never dangerous
mid-division, never on terms
slowly into stride, soon outpaced, never a factor
Nonrunner
Councellor should go well at big odds and is preferred to Blue Knight and Cummiskey. Paul Hanagan is a rare booking for Stef Liddiard and the hint is accordingly taken about Councellor. He has done most of his running over seven furlongs in the past but today's slow surface could well play into his hands. Blue Knight has been a rare all-weather scorer for David Nicholls. That was in an amateur riders race at Wolverhampton and much more is required here. Cummiskey won an uncompetitive maiden at the track at the beginning of the month. The form has since been upheld by Cookie Cutter, a winner at Wolverhampton earlier in the week. Graze On was claimed for ¿12000 out of a Wolverhampton claimer. He had shown fair form for John Quinn and first time blinkers are applied. Sir Desmond looks to be coming back to some semblance of form. Unfortunately he has not won for a year. Owed has ran over further but Robert Gray believes six furlongs is his trip. He is likely to be in the firing line this afternoon. Majik looks best of the rest. Councellor is recommended at today's likely odds.
Cummiskey (IRE) 10-11fav (9-12) Tracked leaders, led and flashed tail approaching final furlong, rider lost whip and edged right inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs beating Cookie Cutter (9-7) by 3l, 10 ran.
Poker Player (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, ridden and ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Pinchbeck (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Pamir (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden along over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Top Mark (8-6) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Sept.
Sir Desmond 12-1 (8-11) Soon behind, ridden and ran on well final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Pinchbeck (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Councellor (FR) 7-1 (8-13) Always prominent, ridden 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong without being dangerous, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Wessex (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Graze On 10-1 (9-3) With leader, ridden to lead final furlong, kept on, won at W'hampton 6f clm (6) pol beating Whitbarrow (9-7) by 1l, 13 ran.
Lincolneurocruiser 7-1 (9-3) Soon in touch, ridden 3f out, ran on well inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Tuscarora (8-12) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Blue Knight (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Held up, headway halfway, ridden when hung left and led over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 6f amt hcp (5) pol beating Louphole (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
