in rear, moderate effort on stand rail over 1f out, never in contention
slight lead, pushed along 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, pushed along 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden to dispute lead and every chance over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
towards rear, headway towards centre over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
towards rear, headway and switched sharply left approaching final furlong, no danger after
soon in touch, pushed along halfway, weakening when hampered just inside final furlong
in touch, pushed along and one pace from over 1f out
with leaders, every chance 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, beaten when hampered inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway more towards centre halfway, chased leaders over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven and stayed on well
in rear, made some headway centre over 1f out, never nearer
chased leaders on stand rail, ridden to lead narrowly, and hung right from over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken, and lost 2nd well inside final furlong
Nonrunner
There are plenty in with chances here but we will nominate SIR NOD to get the better of The Nifty Fox and Bahamian Ballet. The selection gave a good account of himself at Pontefract last time considering that he missed the break. He has got course and distance winning form and he will handle the cut in the ground and he makes plenty of appeal. The Nifty Fox is the obvious alternative as he was only beaten a neck by Raccoon at Musselburgh last time and off his current mark he is clearly capable of getting competitive. He also has a good draw so he should be thereabouts at the finish. Bahamian Ballet is back on a fair mark but he has now gone over two years without winning and he failed to take his chance last time when he looked to have everything in his favour. Any further rain would be a big plus for Captain Scooby, while Glasshoughton will also handle the ground and he is another who has won over the course and distance. This is wide open and the vote goes to Sir Nod.
Burning Incense (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, last of 21, 21l behind Misphire (8-12) at Doncaster 7f app hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Legal Eagle (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 5l behind Everymanforhimself (9-11) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Mister Tinktastic (IRE) 4-6fav (8-13) Led, ridden and edged left over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Blown It (8-7) at Ayr 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
The Nifty Fox 5-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, on outer, ridden 2f out, well there when struck on head by rival whip inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 4th of 11, 1l behind Raccoon (8-11) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Northern Bolt 10-1 (9-2) Outpaced in rear, driven and headway over 1f out, switched left to rail inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish, never nearer, 6th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Raccoon (8-11) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Hazelrigg (IRE) 9-4fav (8-12) Hampered at the start and soon chasing leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, was one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 5l behind Baldemar (9-7) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Aug '08.
Bahamian Ballet 10-3fav (9-5) Led after 2f, headed inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Prince Namid (9-3) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Hotham 3-1fav (9-2) Dwelt and behind, outpaced over 2f, soon ridden, never able to challenge, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind The Bear (7-13) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Mandalay King (IRE) 7-2fav (9-9) Behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Redwater River (8-1) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Glasshoughton 8-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway well over 1f out, one pace, 10th of 19, 8l behind Capone (8-13) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jul.
Avertuoso 20-1 (9-5) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 11, 4l behind King Of Swords (8-5) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Captain Scooby 9-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, weakened final furlong, 5th of 11, 7l behind Ursula (9-1) at Doncaster 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Jul.
Killer Class 8-1 (8-10) Always towards rear, 7th of 8, 10l behind Impressible (9-6) at Hamilton 5f flls hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Bedloe's Island (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, effort and every chance over 1f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Discanti (8-13) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Sir Nod 9-2 (9-4) Slowly into stride and went right start, soon in mid-division, headway halfway, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind King Of Swords (8-5) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Baybshambles (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Behind, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 7th of 14, 5l behind Discanti (8-13) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Lake Chini (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, not clearest of runs over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd post, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Guto (8-8) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
