tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace approaching final furlong
always behind
in touch, ridden 2f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner over final furlong
held up mid-division, headway to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well, readily
in touch, ridden and every chance 2f out to over 1f out, hung left and one pace final furlong
mid-division, outpaced 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, never on terms
never better than mid-division
chased leaders, driven and lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, always towards rear
early reminders and soon with leader, led halfway, ridden and edged right 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
led, headed halfway, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, never trouble leaders
behind, driven and headway 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, not reach leaders
A relatively open contest for those who failed to make the cut in the featured Carlisle Bell and with ground conditions are they are we take Ballyhurry to prevail, with Networker, Wasalat, Gunfighter and Franksalot also considered. Although the latter has also handled cut in the ground, Ballyhurry has the better overall form when the rains have fallen and he is in great nick at the moment after back to back wins at Hamilton and Musselburgh. This trip will suit him nicely and he looks capable of defying a penalty to complete a hat-trick. Networker is another in a rich vein of form and has been freshened up with a short break after completing a treble of his own. The big question with him though is can he handle conditions? He certainly doesn't appear to have done when previously tried so we oppose. Wasalat was a 10f Ripon winner last time but both he and Hamilton scorer Gunfighter have to prove they handle this surface, while Franksalot looks suited well enough by cut, but may find this beyond his stamina capabilities, and we give the nod to Ballyhurry.
Burley Flame 18-1 (8-6) Was prominent, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, headed post, 3rd of 16, nk behind Major Magpie (8-10) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
Lago d'Orta (IRE) 18-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, effort when not much room over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 9, 6l behind Flipando (9-4) at Beverley 1m hcap (3) gd in May.
Gunfighter (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Behind and soon outpaced, ridden over halfway, good headway final furlong to lead near finish, won at Hamilton 6f hcap (5) gf beating Currency (9-1) by 1l, 14 ran.
Webbow (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Held up, headway to chase winner over 2f out, ridden, effort approaching final furlong, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Il Castagno (9-2) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Networker 11-8fav (9-1) Towards rear, switched left over 2f out, ran on to lead close home, won at Hamilton 1m hcap (5) gf beating Defi (9-3) by a nk, 10 ran.
Wasalat (USA) 12-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, behind, headway to lead 2f out, all out, won at Ripon 1m 2f hcap (5) gf beating Harvest Warrior (9-7) by a shd, 12 ran.
Ballyhurry (USA) 10-3 (8-4) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well to lead final 100 yards, won at Musselburgh 1m 1f clm (6) gd beating Little Jimbob (9-2) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Heureux (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway on inner over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Hula Ballew (9-7) at Thirsk 1m hcap (5) gf.
Franksalot (IRE) 7-2fav (9-9) Mid-division, ridden along 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind Flying Bantam (9-2) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Choreography 28-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, lost place well over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 21l behind Walnut Grove (8-4) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Spinning 10-3fav (9-7) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven to challenge and every chance over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Efidium (8-10) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Letham Island (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 16, 17l behind Filios (9-3) at York 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.
Champain Sands (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, towards rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 6l behind Hula Ballew (9-7) at Thirsk 1m hcap (5) gf.
Kirkby's Treasure 11-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Regent's Secret (9-7) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs.