chased leaders, led 7f out, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, eased 1f out
slowly into stride, held up behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden over 3f out, one pace when not much room entering final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
led, headed 7f out, led again over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace, no impression
held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
slow away, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed last 50 yards
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders halfway, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied to lead again last 50 yards
held up in touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up, ridden 3f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
Top Spec has solid claims on recent evidence and has to be respected on ground that suits but a chance is taken with Caraman, who is preferred to Akritas. The last mentioned disappointed at Newmarket last time but may do better on today's faster ground. Paul Cole's gelding makes more appeal than the Mark Tompkins-trained Sand And Stars, who has given little cause for optimism this season. Similar comments apply to Richard Fahey's Richtee, although a market move for the five-year-old would be of interest. Top Spec has been running consistently well of late and has to be considered but preference is for Caraman, who is better known as a hurdler and has only run on the all-weather on the level but looks to be reasonably well treated for his handicap debut.
Akritas 11-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden and weakened well over 2f out, 8th of 9, 23l behind Signatory (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) sft in May.
Top Spec (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Dwelt, behind, pushed along, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Bright Sun (9-3) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Sand And Stars (IRE) 12-1 (8-2) Chased winner, lost place over 1f out, 7th of 8, 23l behind Silvertown (8-10) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Beat The Heat (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 8th of 12, 19l behind St Savarin (8-1) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp (4) sft in Apr '05.
Caraman (IRE) 6-1 (9-8) Led early, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Moon Emperor (9-4) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Calatagan (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, led after 2f, headed over 2f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Industrial Star (9-5) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
El Chaparral (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Soon led, travelling well when ran wide and lost place over 2f out, soon eased, 11th of 14, 6l behind Sir Haydn (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Dovedon Hero 14-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, late headway from 2f out, never dangerous, 5th of 12, 8l behind Mudawin (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in May.
Richtee (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Reared at start, never better than mid-division, 8th of 11, 11l behind McEldowney (9-8) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Almizan (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Mid-division, headway when not clear run over 3f out, ridden and kept on approaching final furlong, 7th of 14, 13l behind Great View (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (5) gs in May.
Rajam 25-1 (9-4) Towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 11, 21l behind McEldowney (9-8) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
