chased leaders, led over 1f out, ran on strongly
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, pushed along halfway, staying on one pace when not clear run inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong
led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders until weakened 2f out
always behind
towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
with leader, weakened final furlong
mid-division, pushed along halfway, kept on approaching final furlong
mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened final furlong
always behind
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 2f out, no extra approaching final furlong
David Barker holds the key to this with Winhill House and Fox Covert, who are drawn at either end of the stalls. The former has been the more consistent and just edges a narrow verdict despite being set carry top weight today. Best Lead and Dunn Deal also have claims on these terms and are worth noting for each-way support. Viewforth also merits respect, as he arrives here in good heart and should confirm his superiority over the penalised Telepathic. Ian Semple's charge has dropped to a very handy mark of late and is fully entitled to be thereabouts if he puts in anything like his best. However, he has been notoriously hard to win with and needs everything to drop just right for him. Therefore, we stick with Winhill House, whose recent profile has been far more rewarding for his supporters. The five-year-old was down on his nose after an incident at the start at Thirsk last week and that run is best forgotten. The fact that he is turned out so quickly underlines that he is unscathed from the experience and, as he is due to go up 8lb at the weekend, Winhill House looks worth another chance in this company before the handicapper finally gets to grips with him.
Whinhill House 5-1 Stumbled start, soon led far side group, headed 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 17th of 20, 17l behind Mecca's Mate at Thirsk 6f hcp gd.
Viewforth 11-4fav Tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead over 2f out, ridden when headed inside final furlong, weakened close home, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind George The Best at Hamilton 6f hcp gs.
Dunn Deal (IRE) 13-2 Chased leaders stands' side, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 17, 1/2l behind Banjo Bay at Nottingham 6f app hcp gd.
Malahide Express (IRE) 12-1 Chased leaders to over 1f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 5th of 17, 6l behind Whinhill House at Catterick 5f hcp gs.
Molotov 10-1 Went right start, with winner, ridden and effort over 1f out, no extra final furlong, finished 3rd, disqualified and placed last for failing to weigh in, 3rd of 17, 3 1/2l behind Whinhill House at Catterick 5f hcp gs.
Telepathic (IRE) 9-1 Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, won at Hamilton 6f amt stk gs beating Wainwright by a shd, 12 ran.
Best Lead 12-1 Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, finished 4th, placed 3rd, 3rd of 17, 5l behind Whinhill House at Catterick 5f hcp gs.
Enjoy The Buzz 6-1 Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Valiant Romeo at Musselburgh 5f stk gf.
