steadied at start, held up in rear, ridden along and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach winner
held up behind leaders, ridden along halfway, driven and kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, effort when hung left over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
in touch, effort over 2f out, edged left when weakening final furlong
made all, ridden 2f out, kept on gamely final furlong
Nonrunner
Steel Blue can make it back-to-back wins in this handicap and he is preferred to the likes of John Keates, River Thames and Tawzeea. The selection won this race last year and he arrives here on the back of a good effort last time when he beat No Grouse at Doncaster. That was quite a competitive contest so a 6lbs penalty may not be enough to stop him today. River Thames and John Keats look his chief rivals and there was little to choose between the pair last time when they both finished down the field in a race won by Methaaly at Ayr. John Keates was a little unlucky in that contest and he has won over this course and distance in the past so better can be expected from him today. Tawzeea was well beaten at Hamilton last time but this race is nowhere near as competitive as that so he should fare better in this company. Steel Blue makes plenty of appeal though and he is taken to score.
Bazroy (IRE) 28-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, behind, not much room over 1f out, one pace, 9th of 15, 5l behind Lesson In Humility (8-12) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
River Thames 6-1 (9-12) Held up, effort over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 12, 6l behind Methaaly (9-0) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
John Keats 7-1 (9-12) Held up, not much room over 1f out, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 6l behind Methaaly (9-0) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Apollo Shark (IRE) 22-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 10th of 11, 18l behind Hula Ballew (9-3) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Steel Blue 9-2 (9-0) Held up behind leaders, headway over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, ridden out, won at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul beating No Grouse (9-7) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
High Curragh 33-1 (8-7) Held up, headway over 1f out, one pace, 9th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Look Busy (8-13) at Ayr 5f hcap (2) gd in Jul.
Tawzeea (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 15, 13l behind Knot In Wood (9-4) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jul.