tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner final furlong, not quicken inside final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly away, always behind
close up, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
prominent, one pace from over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden 2f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on
behind, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden 1f out, one pace
in touch, weakened over 1f out
ROYAL DIGNITARY has the worst of the draw but could still prove too strong for this opposition; Diggeratt and Grazeon Gold Blend rate the dangers. Dandy Nicholls has a remarkable 25 per cent strike rate in claimers over a five year period with 35 winners from 138 runners returning a healthy level stakes profit. That record is testament to the way that he places his horses and Royal Dignitary has decent claims of improving it on these terms. True, he has a couple of pounds to find with Diggeratt and was beaten in this grade when last seen but he goes well fresh and should relish the conditions. Diggeratt has found his form at this level of late and he'll probably be better served by the stiff finish on this track than the sharp track at Lingfield where he lacked the pace to land a blow. Grazeon Gold Blend takes a significant drop in class and has to be feared following a fair run over a mile but all of his wins have been achieved over shorter trips than this so there has to be some doubt about him lasting home. There are no such concerns for Royal Dignitary who is preferred.
Grazeon Gold Blend 20-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, never nearer, 5th of 13, 7l behind Moheebb (9-3) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Royal Dignitary (USA) 2-1 (9-6) Led, headed 3f out, remained close up, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, last of 5, 21l behind Flawed Genius (9-6) at Doncaster 1m clm stks (5) gf in Jul.
Emerald Hawk (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Raced stands side, chased leader, ridden and weakened halfway, last of 8, 50l behind Dukes Art (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn (4) gf in Jul.
Tito (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Slowly away, outpaced, always in rear, 11th of 12, 10l behind Restless Genius (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in May.
Tump Mac 33-1 (8-13) Led, headed over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Proficiency (9-9) at Pontefract 1m 2f mdn hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Jul.
Cross of Lorraine (IRE) 16-1 (8-2) Always in rear, 11th of 12, 15l behind Daring Dream (9-5) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-65 (6) sft.
Boss Hog 20-1 (8-6) Led, headed 3f out, soon ridden and weakened 2f out, 5th of 8, 11l behind Turnkey (9-8) at Carlisle 6f clm stks (5) gs.
Machinate (USA) 33-1 (9-9) Close up on outside, ridden and effort over 2f out, not quicken, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 14l behind Sign of The Cross (10-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol in Apr.
Bold Indian (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Behind, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, went 2nd over 1f out, kept on no chance winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Fremen (9-13) at Hamilton 1m clm stks (6) gs.
Royal Challenge 40-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 11, 7l behind Kyleene (9-8) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Diggeratt (USA) 15-8fav (9-2) Mid-division on inside, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reached leading pair, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Head Down (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 3yo clm stks (6) pol.
Antipodean (UAE) 25-1 (8-11) In touch, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 35l behind Miss Ferney (8-10) at Redcar 1m 2f sell stks (6) gf.
