held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leading pair
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, chased leader approaching 1f out, driven and wore down leader to lead post
held up, ridden 3f out, kept on final furlong, not pace to challenge
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, one pace from over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden 3 lengths clear 2f out, caught post
awkward start and slow into stride, always in rear, ridden and hung right over 2f out
This trip and fast ground suits GREEN AGENDA, and in a race where everything is exposed he might just have the edge, while Sampower Rose and Just Five are respected opponents. The last-named won a claimer here in fine style over a slightly shorter trip last time, and has also won over a mile, while he is adaptable regarding ground. However, he is back in a handicap here and he has been beaten off this mark before so today we will oppose. Sampower Rose may actually still be open to a bit of improvement, but she will need to if she is to defy a 5lb rise for finishing second at Thirsk last time and she also looks in need of a decent drop of rain. Northern Flyer has twice recently been beaten from today's mark of 65 but with trip and ground ideal he looks likely to remain competitive today. Steel Trade is not certain to be suited by the return to this trip, but Hel's Angel will love it although Ann Duffield's runner is not in as good form as she was earlier in the campaign. Therefore we will tentatively side with Green Agenda. Mark Johnston's gelding is 3lbs higher than his best winning mark, but he is suited by fast ground and a mile, and we hope that he will come back to something like his best today.
Green Agenda 33-1 (8-0) Always in rear, 14th of 15, 8l behind Highly Regal (8-6) at Kempton 1m hcp (2) pol.
Hel's Angel (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden and headway 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 6l behind Edgeworth (9-1) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Just Five (IRE) 8-11fav (9-1) With leader, led 6f out, clear over 1f out, easily, won at Beverley 7f 3yo clm (5) gf in Jul beating Love In The West (8-8) by 7l, 7 ran.
Steel Trade 8-1 (9-3) Started very slowly, behind, driven and headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, hard ridden and stayed on under pressure, never nearer, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Knight's Victory (9-3) at Ripon 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in Aug.
Northern Flyer (GER) 3-1fav (8-6) Mid-division, pushed along and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 6l behind Allformary (8-13) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Sampower Rose (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Led, headed 2f out, rallied inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Allformary (8-13) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Amethyst Dawn (IRE) 2-1fav (8-12) Prominent, driven to lead over 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 9l behind Rosewin (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Wotatomboy 50-1 (8-5) Behind, outpaced over 3f out, never on terms, 8th of 12, 9l behind Charles Darwin (8-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.