led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
dwelt, always behind
mid-division on outside, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
behind, outpaced over 3f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged right and outpaced over 1f out
behind, outpaced over 2f out, never able to challenge
The feeling is that a flat track sees Zabeel Tower in the best light and so preference here is for Horatio Carter. The penny really seemed to drop for the selection over this course and distance earlier in the month. That was his best run to date and whilst he has a rise in the weights to overcome, he looks the type to go on from here and he also has a useful three-year-old allowance. First Swallow needs respect on his handicap debut with the return to a longer trip in his favour, whilst Avontuur has had plenty of racing and has claims on the pick of his runs. Zabeel Tower has been in great form this year but may be high enough in the weights now, with his best runs coming on flat tracks such as Musselburgh. Cheery Cat is well-treated on old form, comments that also apply to The Salwick Flyer and Pay Time. At a price Grand Opera could go well at a track he likes, however it is Horatio Carter who gets the vote.
Zabeel Tower 5-1 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden and headway to lead far side 3f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 8, 5l behind El Dececy (9-12) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Grand Opera (IRE) 15-2 (9-9) Dwelt, soon chasing winner, ridden and weakened final furlong, 4th of 8, 7l behind Royal Dignitary (9-6) at Redcar 7f clm (5) gf.
Horatio Carter 12-1 (9-2) Prominent, led over 3f out, switched left over 2f out, soon clear, won at Carlisle 7f 3yo hcp (5) gd beating Leonid Glow (9-6) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
Avontuur (FR) 12-1 (8-13) Dwelt and behind, ridden and stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer, 8th of 14, 6l behind Royal Challenge (8-9) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Cheery Cat (USA) 8-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, 5th of 14, 4l behind Royal Challenge (8-9) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
The Salwick Flyer (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Never better than mid-division, 11th of 14, 19l behind Gee Ceffyl Bach (8-2) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jun.
First Swallow 7-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 5th of 16, 4l behind Barbary Boy (9-3) at Beverley 5f mdn stk (5) gs.
Pay Time 25-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 3f, soon no impression, 7th of 13, 11l behind Micky Mac (9-6) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Orpen Bid (IRE) 40-1 (8-5) Chased leaders until edged left over 1f out, soon outpaced, 8th of 13, 8l behind Jaconet (8-12) at Ayr 6f 3yo hcp (6) gs.
Tanforan 13-2 (9-1) Mid-division, not much room, hampered 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not trouble front pair, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Harare (9-7) at Chester 1m app hcp (5) gd.
