raced stands side, mid-division on outer, ridden over 1f out, never a factor
led far side group and overall leader, ridden and headed narrowly over 1f out, regained lead entering final furlong, kept on, driven out
mid-division far side group, ridden 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
in rear far side group, headway and switched right over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
mid-division far side group, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased leading pair 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
dwelt, mid-division far side group, riddden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
dwelt, held up towards rear far side group, never dangerous
always towards rear stands side group
chased leaders far side group, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on towards finish
mid-division stands side group, ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear stands side group, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leaders stands side group, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, towards rear stands side group, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
close up far side group, ridden and weakened over 1f out
chased leaders stands side group, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
mid-division far side group, ridden and weakened well over 1f out
behind stands side group, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up towards rear far side group, headway on outer over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up towards rear far side group, effort 2f out, never dangerous
went right start, chased leaders standsside group, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
led stands side group, ridden over 1f out, kept on and no chance with farside leaders
held up towards rear far side group, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
Only one three-year-old has managed to win this in the last 10 years and it may pay to concentrate on the older horses again this season. Hotham won this for Noel Wilson in 2008 but is 5lb higher now while Haajes collected a penalty for winning at Doncaster, though does tend to come good at this time of year and has won off a higher mark in the past. Dandy Nicholls is, as usual, mob-handed and it would be no surprise to see one of his quintet land the spoils, while Kevin Ryan and David Barron both saddle three each and Arganil would certainly be thereabouts if at his best. But we'll take the view that a high draw will be an advantage today and side with THE NIFTY FOX. Tim Easterby's seven-year-old is on a long losing run but that should mean he starts at decent odds here and he's 3lb lower than when just touched off on easy ground over C&D in the spring. Mayoman could also go close if getting the run of the race.
Courageous (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Zero Money (9-7) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Magical Macey (USA) 10-1 (9-2) Raced center, close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 13, 11l behind Elna Bright (8-12) at Ascot 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Beat The Bell 14-1 (9-7) Mid-division far side, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 15th of 21, 11l behind Haajes (9-0) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Arganil (USA) 9-2 (9-5) Soon pushed along in rear, ridden halfway, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 9, 7l behind Verinco (9-1) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Aug.
Haajes 9-1 (9-0) In touch stand side, led stand side over 1f out, kept on to lead overall inside final furlong, held on well, won at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating Eland Ally (9-2) by 3/4l, 21 ran.
Mr Optimistic 33-1 (8-1) Towards rear, kept on final furlong, never near leaders, 11th of 17, 6l behind Bertiewhittle (7-12) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug.
Oldjoesaid 9-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear far side, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 12th of 21, 7l behind Haajes (9-0) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Indian Trail 14-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, held up towards rear far side, headway over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 21, 1l behind Haajes (9-0) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Fol Hollow (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Towards rear far side, never dangerous, 20th of 21, 16l behind Haajes (9-0) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Hotham 16-1 (9-3) Steadied in rear, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 6l behind Foxy Music (9-7) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
The Nifty Fox 6-1 (9-2) Chased leaders centre, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression well inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 5l behind Pelmanism (8-9) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Even Stevens 20-1 (8-9) Chased leaders far side, led well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon weakened, 8th of 21, 4 1/2l behind Haajes (9-0) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Invincible Lad (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, behind, headway under pressure over 1f out, switched left just inside final furlong, soon ridden and every chance, held near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Mayoman (8-4) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Thats A Fret (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) In touch towards rear, no impression under pressure in 8th and kept on same pace from 1f out, 6th of 9, 4l behind Blue Dahlia (9-5) at Curragh 5f hcp sft.
Mayoman (IRE) 4-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, outpaced towards rear, headway inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Foxy Music (9-7) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Gottcher 11-2 (8-12) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, no impression, 7th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Mayoman (8-4) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Rothesay Chancer 4-1fav (9-1) Behind, outpaced over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd near finish, not reached leaders, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Ingleby Star (8-8) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (4) gd.
Crimson Knot (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) In rear, never on terms, last of 9, 7l behind Mappin Time (9-1) at Chester 5f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Go Go Green (IRE) 85-40 (8-13) Steadied start, held up in touch, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leader, ran on to lead close home, won at Thirsk 6f Selling Stakes (0-75) (3yo+) (6) gs in Aug beating Efistorm (9-5) by nk, 5 ran.
Above The Stars 11-1 (8-13) Held up, headway and switched left approaching 1f out, kept on, not trouble leaders, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Judge 'n Jury (9-8) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Aug.
Rylee Mooch 8-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, effort on inside over 1f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Bertoliver (8-10) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Sleepy Blue Ocean 9-2 (8-7) Towards rear, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, effort when not clear run entering final furlong, switched left, kept on well, never able to challenge, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Foxy Music (9-7) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Amenable (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, rallied to regain 2nd post, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Valery Borzov (9-7) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Aug.
