towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace over 1f out
in rear, raced far side from well over 3f out, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace
always towards rear
chased leaders, led approaching 2f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken
chased leaders, led well over 2f out, headed approaching 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
towards rear, weakened and eased well over 1f out
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, every chance inside last, no extra near finish
held up mid-division, weakened over 1f out
led, headed well over 2f out, soon weakened
Ishiadancer was very impressive last time however he is up against some real mud-lovers and it is the well-handicapped KEYS OF CYPRUS who is preferred to Grissom. The Dandy Nicholls-trained gelding comes here on the back of a disappointing effort at Southwell when almost tailed off. He had previously been in good form however and this five-time winner is now 2lb below his highest winning mark. Four of his five wins have come on ground described as good to soft or softer and he looks worth chancing. Hazelrigg has stamina questions, as does Grissom however he loves the ground like this and is having a fine season. Leonid Glow, a course winner, is as dependable as they come, Northern Fling hasn't been with the yard for long but looks well-treated, whilst Irish raider Zhukov is yet to win over this far but doesn't come across here just for a holiday. Course and distance winner Stellite is yet another to consider in a tricky puzzle, however the answer might lie with Keys Of Cyprus.
Zhukhov (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Mid-division on rail, 8th halfway, headway to 5th 2f out, ridden in 7th and no extra 1f out, kept on same pace, 9th of 21, 3 1/2l behind Gandolfini (8-9) at Navan 5f Apprentice Handicap (50-80) (3yo+).
Northern Fling 8-1 (8-12) Held up, driven over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Hotham (8-12) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Leonid Glow 6-1 (9-3) In touch stand's side group, stayed on well final furlong, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Misplaced Fortune (9-2) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Grissom (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, in 3rd over 2f out, ridden and led over 1f out, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Conry (8-11) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Ishiadancer 5-2fav (9-4) Made all, drew clear final 2f, ridden out final furlong, comfortably, won at Ayr 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Jonny Lesters Hair (9-4) by 5l, 13 ran.
Keys of Cyprus 10-1 (9-0) Towards rear, reminders over 4f out, never dangerous, 12th of 13, 30l behind Ultimate (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Dabbers Ridge (IRE) 9-2fav (8-7) Mid-division, pushed along 4f out, headway on inner to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 11, 4l behind Dichoh (9-5) at Lingfield 7f clm stks 0-70 (6) pol.
Hazelrigg (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Dwelt, behind, ridden and outpaced on wide outside over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 13l behind Ancient Cross (9-1) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Stellite 6-1 (9-1) In touch, headway to challenge 2f out, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on until headed, no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Botham (8-13) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Santiago Atitlan 28-1 (9-8) Held up in rear, raced keenly, pushed along over 3f out, no response, tailed off, last of 7, 42l behind Ifatfirst (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sep.
The Bear 25-1 (8-9) Close up, ridden well over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 7l behind Milton Of Campsie (9-4) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Happy Anniversary (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride and always towards rear, 10th of 14, 12l behind Cape Hawk (9-0) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
