tracked leaders, went 2nd over 6f out, challenged 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, well held final furlong
ridden briefly leaving stalls, tracked leader until over 6f out, pushed along and edged left over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
Hot Rod Mamma and Act Your Shoe Size make quick reappearances after finishing down the field at Musselburgh on Sunday where the former just came out best. Muffin McLeay has been raised 8lb for a narrow victory at Ripon which looks harsh while Gala Casino Star has struggled at the weights since completing a mid-summer hat-trick which included a victory over the C&D from a 12lb lower mark. CALAF had very little to beat in a Haydock seller last month but is on the same mark as when landing a Doncaster handicap in May and looks the one to be on.
Muffin Mcleay (IRE) 15-8fav (10-0) Pulled hard tracking leaders, switched left to challenge over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon edged right, stayed on well, won at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul beating Assizes (9-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Gala Casino Star (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 12l behind Prussian (9-0) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Sep.
Calaf 8-13fav (9-7) Steadied start, held up in touch in rear, smooth headway over 3f out, led on bit over 2f out, ridden and pressed inside final furlong, driven out gamely, won at Haydock 1m 4f sell stks (4) gf in Sep beating Humungosaur (9-1) by nk, 5 ran.
Act Your Shoe Size 11-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 9, 10l behind No Poppy (9-3) at Musselburgh 1m flls hcp 0-130 (3) gs in Sep.
Hot Rod Mamma (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) In rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 9, 8l behind No Poppy (9-3) at Musselburgh 1m flls hcp 0-130 (3) gs in Sep.