held up mid-division, headway final furlong, hung right inside last, stayed on to lead towards finish
held up, headway well over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on towards finish
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
with leader, led over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, headed towards finish, no extra
behind and never dangerous
held up towards rear, kept on final furlong, never on terms
mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon not much room, one pace
chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, tailed off over 4f out
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never able to challenge
A competitive affair in which MIDDLEMARCH is our idea of the most likely winner though Lucayan Dancer and Rossini's Dancer are worthy of inclusion on our shortlist. The switch up to this trip appeared to work the oracle for Jim Goldie's veteran at York and if lightening can strike twice, this once useful handicapper is more than capable of posting a follow up. Lucayan Dancer has it to do on the figures. He is 4lb better in with Tufton versus their Redcar meeting and has gone on to place again since. Rossini's Dancer won a seller under Paul Hanagan at Ripon. The fact that the rider elects to stick with him this afternoon leads us to believe that he is first string this afternoon. Applaude allows himself to get worried out of things in a finish though on some of his form at Alan Swinbank's, he may be sent off at odds that are too big. King Of The Moors has more to do in this company than he did when successful at Musselburgh. Jim Martin won this race at odds of 80/1 last year. He is unlikely to be available at those odds today and was well held at Hamilton on his most recent start. Spring Goddess won a fillies' handicap at Doncaster at the start of the turf season though has lost her way badly since. My Mate Mal has it to do on figures and would probably want it much softer underfoot. Having considered the alternatives, Middlemarch is our selection.
Applaude 16-1 (9-1) Led 1f, chased leader to over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 15, 27l behind Grandad Bill (8-4) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Boundless Prospect (USA) 11-10fav (8-10) Held up well in rear, good headway entering final 3f, switched left 2f out, soon lead, ridden clear final furlong, comfortable, won at Southwell 1m 3f sell stks (6) fbs in Mar beating Dancing Lyra (8-11) by 4l, 8 ran.
Clear Sailing 9-4fav (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind What's Up Doc (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol in Apr.
King of The Moors (USA) 16-1 (9-2) Made all, keen early, ridden final furlong, unchallenged, won at Musselburgh 1m 1f clm stks (5) gd beating Bed Fellow (8-13) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Lucayan Dancer 8-1 (9-10) Held up behind, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 15, 8l behind Daaweitza (10-11) at Redcar 1m 2f ladies hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Middlemarch (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Made all, stayed far side alone from over 3f out, ridden 2f out, ran on, won at York 1m 2f clm stks (4) gs beating Charlie Cool (9-7) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
My Mate Mal 14-1 (8-2) Led, ridden, headed over 2f out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Keisha Kayleigh (8-2) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 66-85 (4) sft in Aug.
Rossini's Dancer 13-2 (9-11) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven clear final furlong, eased near finish, won at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (5) gd beating Aven Mac (8-7) by 7l, 14 ran.
Tufton 9-2 (9-4) Held up, hard ridden and beaten over 2f out, 9th of 11, 14l behind Bazergan (9-7) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug.
Jim Martin 14-1 (8-7) Led to post, pulled hard, tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 4, 16l behind Sunnyside Tom (9-7) at Hamilton 1m 1f clm stks (4) hvy in Aug.
Kingsholm 9-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, no headway, 6th of 8, 12l behind Honimiere (9-7) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Red Skipper (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 7l behind Lordship (8-6) at Ayr 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Aug.
Solis (GER) 40-1 (9-9) Held up, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 14l behind Rosewin (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Spring Goddess (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 14, 26l behind Rangefinder (9-10) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
