led, ridden approaching 3 out, joined next, headed last, kept on
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 4 out, ridden next, challenged 2 out, led last, ran on
held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on from next
The Merry Mason can comfortably defy a penalty against Manbow and York Rite, with Taleban up against it. The Merry Mason was pulled up on his first start for Sue Smith at Cartmel in July, but the former Malcolm Jefferson inmate has really come to himself with a vengeance, using his undoubted stamina to gain back-to-back wins at Bangor and Market Rasen. The latter victory was achieved after a five week break and he should still be plenty fresh enough here. The drop back in trip is the only worry, but if Dominic Elsworth does not hang around, he can make good use of his staying power to defy a seven-pound penalty. Manbow has little in hand of York Rite on the revised terms after beating that rival by less than two lengths at Kelso, and both in turn will have to step up a gear again to trouble the selection. Taleban faded badly behind Lord Of The Land at Sedgefield last time and is hard to make claims for, and it is really hard to get away from The Merry Mason in his current mood.
