led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on well towards finish
mid-division, headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, never on terms
always behind, detatched before halfway, never dangerous
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
dwelt, behind, headway when hampered over 1f out, never nearer
pulled very hard tracking leader, switched right to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well
chased leaders, under pressure halfway, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, soon no impression
slowly into stride, in touch, lost place 3f out
slowly into stride, mid-division, under pressure halfway, soon beaten
It could pay to stick with the recent winner STRONG MAN. He beat the re-opposing Dhhamaan five lengths at Carlisle last week so it's highly likely Mick Easterby's charge can defy a penalty and go in again. A 4lb rise proved beyond course and distance winner Burnwynd Boy last time and both he and stablemate Foolbythepool are having their first starts since September. Eilean Mor looks a bigger threat on his latest second over a mile here while Goninodaethat finished ahead of Berbice when fourth at Musselburgh last month and looks best of the remainder.
Strong Man 9-2 (9-10) Made all, pushed along over 2f out, soon clear, eased inside final furlong, very easily, won at Catterick 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf beating Dhhamaan (9-5) by 5l, 11 ran.
Burnwynd Boy 7-2fav (9-7) Mid-division, headway going well over 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 4l behind Cross The Boss (9-0) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Sep.
Foolbythepool 10-1 (9-1) With leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Marhaba Malayeen (9-6) at Redcar 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sep.
Dhhamaan (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Strong Man (9-10) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Berbice (IRE) 22-1 (9-2) Never better than mid-division, short of room over 2f out, 9th of 13, 14l behind Tectonic (9-11) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Goninodaethat 8-1 (7-13) Soon tracking leader, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 3l behind Silver Rime (9-0) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Military Call 12-1 (9-0) Tracked winner, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 11l behind Mac Tiernan (9-4) at Ayr 1m 1f app hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jun.
Eilean Mor 66-1 (8-5) Held up, headway on outer 3f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Tectonic (9-11) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Touching History (IRE) 40-1 (8-7) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 14l behind Bygones For Coins (8-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jun.
Ceekay's Girl 40-1 (8-0) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, never near leaders, 7th of 10, 14l behind Relight My Fire (9-4) at Ayr 7f 3yo app hcp 0-65 (6) gf.