held up, came stands side over 3f out, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd post
mid-division, came stands side and ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway and came stands side over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up, mid-division, came stands side and headway to track leaders over 3f out, led stands side group over 1f out, no extra towards finish
chased winner, came stands side to lead that group over 3f out, until over 1f out, soon weakened
held up, came stands side over 3f out, never troubled leaders
held up, headway and came stands side over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, came stands side and chased that leader over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
made all, stayed far side alone from over 3f out, ridden 2f out, ran on
dwelt, in rear, came stands side and behind over 3f out
held up, came stands side over 3f out, headway soon after, ridden and weakened over 1f out
The best claiming race of the year and whilst the official ratings flatter a few, it should still be very competitive. From a shortlist of Charlie Cool, Court Masterpiece, Malt Or Mash and CHARLIE TOKYO, it is the last-named who is narrowly preferred. Richard Fahey's gelding is not the best-treated at the weights but this course winner comes here in good form unlike many. He battled well when winning at Leicester last time out and we know that he has no problem with soft ground. That was a bounce back to form having gone two years without a win but with confidence high he should run well. Court Masterpiece is the class-act in the line-up; he ran a blinder on his comeback from a failed period at stud but there must be doubts over this trip. Malt Or Mash is good on his day but he isn't the hardiest of horses; a strong tempo should suit but he still looks flattered by his rating of 95. Charlie Cool has won here before and he doesn't look particularly badly handicapped; therefore the drop into this claimer may raise a few eyebrows but he is in for a lot and it won't be a disaster if he goes. Traphalgar won just an ordinary handicap at Beverley in June; he has been given a break since a Windsor flop and this unexposed runner cannot be dismissed too readily. Jack Junior has stamina doubts, whilst a mention must go to last-year's winner Realism who has plummeted in the weights this year and might be worth picking up as he can still win in handicap grade after today. A fascinating race with some old favourites in the line-up, and a chance is taken on Charlie Tokyo.
Charlie Cool 33-1 (8-11) Behind, outpaced over 2f out, never on terms, 11th of 19, 13l behind Roaring Forte (9-0) at York 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Traphalgar (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Led, hung left on bend 5f out, driven along and lost 2nd 2f out, weakened quickly and eased over 1f out, last of 8, 21l behind The Cayterers (9-11) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Court Masterpiece 20-1 (9-0) Towards rear, came centre over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 7l behind Confront (9-0) at York 7f Listed stks (1) gf in Aug.
Charlie Tokyo (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and pressed from over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, held on gamely, won at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Aug beating Rangefinder (9-5) by hd, 7 ran.
Malt Or Mash (USA) 5-4fav (9-12) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead well inside final furlong, all out, won at Newbury 1m 3f clm stks (5) gf in Aug beating Nawamees (8-8) by hd, 7 ran.
Obara d'Avril (FR) 150-1 (9-3) Dwelt, held up in rear, ridden and kept on final 2f, never troubled leaders, 5th of 7, 11l behind Grand Art (8-9) at Catterick 1m 4f clm stks (6) gf in May.
Jack Junior (USA) 50-1 (8-9) Led until ridden and headed 2f out, losing place when hampered on rail, eased final 1f, 16th of 19, 19l behind Laa Rayb (9-6) at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Quince (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Outpaced, ridden over 3f out, went moderate 3rd over 1f out, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Kaleo (9-9) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f clm stks (5) gf in Aug.
Middlemarch (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Mid-division, driven over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 7th of 19, 4l behind Arizona John (9-3) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Neon Blue 16-1 (8-9) Chased leader to 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 6l behind Barbirolli (8-9) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Aug.
Realism (FR) 12-1 (8-9) Held up, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 18l behind Demolition (9-8) at York 1m 4f clm stks (4) gd in Jul.
