chased leader, challenged over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in rear, headway over 2f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden well over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, chased leaders over 1f out, one pace
mid-division, headway over 1f out, no extra final furlong
held up, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, no impression
chased leaders, one pace from over 1f out
towards rear, headway 2f out, kept on
chased leaders, led over 1f out, kept on well
behind, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
CARA'S REQUEST won at this time last year and he is fancied to return to winning ways today; the shortlist is made up of Golden Penny, Ninth House and Celtic Step. Despite having a big weight to carry this afternoon, the selection rates a major player judging on his bounce back to form at Catterick last time. His best runs have come on soft ground and off this mark of 74 he looks sure to run well now encountering a 0-75 handicap. Golden Penny was a good winner at Newcastle earlier in the season and is edging back down to that sort of mark, Ninth House likes some cut in the ground and is one to watch for market support, whilst Liberty Trail and Botham both come here on the back of recent wins but this is a better race for both. Scrapper Smith has stamina to prove, so of more interest may be Jonny Lesters Hair who looks to be coming to hand and he was unlucky to catch a tartar last time out at the track. An open heat, but Cara's Request looks worth a bet.
Cara's Request (AUS) 11-2 (8-10) Led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon headed, one pace when not much room inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Conry (8-11) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Golden Penny 25-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 29l behind Collateral Damage (9-4) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.
Ninth House (USA) 12-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, ridden 3f out, no impression from 2f out, 7th of 9, 3 1/2l behind South Cape (9-3) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Liberty Trail (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Made virtually all, ridden 2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Redcar 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Jimwil (8-13) by 1l, 18 ran.
Celtic Step 22-1 (8-13) Soon led, headed over 3f out, ridden and weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 11, 7l behind Mcconnell (9-1) at Southwell 1m fll hcp (4) fbs in Sep.
Capone (IRE) (8-11) 9th of 14, 11l behind Peace Camp (8-8) at Chantilly(FR) 5f stk sft.
Misphire 16-1 (9-4) Behind, outpaced 3f out, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 7l behind Mujaadel (9-5) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Tiddliwinks 7-2fav (9-1) Led, headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 12th of 14, 14l behind Steel Stockholder (7-13) at Doncaster 7f 3yo app hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Miss Bootylishes 11-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened inside final 2f, 8th of 11, 11l behind Rondeau (9-1) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Botham (USA) 14-1 (8-13) Mid-division, driven and headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong, won at Ayr 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Stellite (9-1) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Jonny Lesters Hair (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Chased winner, driven 3f out, soon ridden outpaced, no chance with winner final 2f, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Ishiadancer (9-4) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Scrapper Smith (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Behind, outpaced over 2f out, never near leaders, 6th of 11, 8l behind Hawkeyethenoo (8-10) at Ayr 5f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Lordship (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Steadied start, pulled hard, held up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 11l behind Truly Asia (9-5) at Bath 1m app hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Finsbury 12-1 (8-3) Held up stand's side group, stayed on well inside last, 6th of 16, 1 3/4l behind Viva Volta (9-0) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
