held up towards rear and keen, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, one pace
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, soon edged right, faded inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on towards finish
behind, ridden over 1f out, some late headway, never dangerous
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
behind, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
with leader, led over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, held on gamely
Some in-form horses here and it is only tentatively that we side with JUST FIVE ahead of Summer Dancer and Apache Ridge. Michael Dods' gelding has been given a break since his last run at Southwell where he could only finish in midfield. However that should have freshened up this course regular and despite racing off a mark 5lb higher than his last win he should give backers a good run for their money. Summer Dancer got on top near the line here last month and is considered, although it appeared that he was taking advantage of a favourable mark then and is not as interesting off this new mark as he might have been. Ancient Cross is consistent and he ran well at Catterick last time, although his hold-up style of racing means that he needs luck, whilst Mujaadel and Boy Blue are both lingering on winnable marks. Apache Ridge continues to edge up the handicap but for good reason, Samarinda stole a claimer at Lingfield last time out but is not discounted here off a nice mark especially if nabbing an easy lead, whilst Amethyst Dawn runs this track well and is not discounted off her light weight. An open handicap then but preference is for Just Five.
Summer Dancer (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Beverley 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May beating Ansells Pride (8-7) by nk, 9 ran.
Just Five (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Dwelt, pushed along mid-division, effort over 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Trans Sonic (8-8) at Southwell 7f hcp (0-90) (3) fbs in May.
Ancient Cross 9-2 (8-6) In rear, headway on inside over 2f out, swiched right over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Hajoum (9-2) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Mujaadel (USA) 22-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 4th of 19, 1 3/4l behind Kindest (9-5) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Samarinda (USA) 11-4 (9-12) Half fly leapt leaving stalls, made all, clear over 1f out, ridden out, won at Lingfield 7f clm stks (6) pol in May beating Orchard Supreme (9-11) by 2l, 12 ran.
Apache Ridge (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May beating Klynch (8-10) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Boy Blue 18-1 (8-13) Towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Dabbers Ridge (8-11) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May.
Fadhb Ar Bith (IRE) 7-2fav (8-8) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, driven 4f out, ridden and stayed on same pace under pressure final 2f, no impression, 4th of 8, 14l behind Elusive Fame (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in May.
Amethyst Dawn (IRE) 7-2fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Polish World (7-11) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
