always behind
held up, headway on outer over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon clear
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, bumped over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on no chance with winner
held up mid-division, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, weakened over 3f out
held up mid-division, weakened over 2f out
chased leader, led before halfway, headed over 1f out, weakened
led, headed before halfway, weakened 3f out
Nonrunner
STRIKEMASTER always runs consistently well and is taken to win his first race of the season with both Kidson and Guilin posing as the main dangers. The selection is still winless in fourteen attempts but he has been knocking on the door. That door can finally swing open for him today with overall conditions in his favour. He has had a run over hurdles on his last start finishing a good second in the process. He deserves to get his head in front and with everything in his favour there should be no excuses today. Kidson ran a personal best to finish second at Yarmouth last time out. He looks well treated as he is only lightly raced with five runs under his belt and with further improvement to come he will not be far away come the business end of the race. Guilin comes from a powerful yard but has been frustrating to follow. He has been tried in blinkers but they didn't work and although this looks his easiest task to date he is worth treating with some caution. Strikemaster is well treated and is given the nod to land this staying event.
Sairaam (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 13l behind Hel's Angel (9-9) at Pontefract 1m fll hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Strikemaster (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, hung left from over 1f out and stayed on, 3rd of 17, 2 3/4l behind Taste The Wine (9-0) at Chepstow 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Dark Oasis 14-1 (7-12) Close up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 8l behind Iceman George (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Marillos Proterras 14-1 (8-2) Held up in rear, never on terms, 8th of 11, 36l behind Omokoroa (9-7) at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Waltzalong (IRE) 40-1 (8-6) 7th of 8, 8l behind Tour d'Amour (8-11) at Redcar 1m 2f fll hcp (5) fm.
Kidson (USA) 6-1 (8-2) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Excelsior Academy (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Jun.
Red Margarita (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Just led early, prominent on inner, not much room on rail when hampered and checked over 2f out, no progress final 2f, 9th of 14, 13l behind Haafhd Time (8-7) at Kempton 1m 4f stks 0-55 (6) pol in Jun.
Saffron's Son (IRE) 12-1 (8-2) In rear, headway on inside from 3f out, soon driven along, kept on and edged left to take moderate 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Taste The Wine (8-12) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Milemilia (IRE) 28-1 (8-3) Mid-division, driven along on inside over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not pace to get competitive, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Where's Susie (9-10) at Lingfield 1m 3f fll hcp (5) std.
Miss Gibboa (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression approaching final furlong, 7th of 13, 11l behind The Last Alzao (8-12) at Redcar 1m 2f Handicap (0-55) (3yo) (6) gd in Jun.
Dulce Domum 16-1 (8-4) Close up, ridden and came stand's side 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 10l behind Halfway House (9-3) at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) fm in Jun.
Transporter (IRE) 100-1 (8-13) Keen, held up, ridden over 4f out, outpaced final 3f, 4th of 6, 32l behind Times Up (8-13) at Pontefract 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gs.
Guilin (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden 2f out, chased leaders and held when not clear run inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 7l behind Perfect Shot (8-12) at Chepstow 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.
