A typically trappy affair to round off matters and we'll take SIR DON to land the spoils at the expense of Toy Top and Future Gem. Ed McMahon's charge is far from the most frequent of winners but the yard are back in form and the one box draw is considered a big help today. Toy Top is a model of consistency. A winner on firm ground at Thirsk, she ran far better than her finishing position suggests last time out. Future Gem has maintained some level of progression for the application of cheekpieces. He knows how to win here having obliged in arguably the worst maiden ever staged at the course. Lithaam was well supported at Yarmouth last time out but has been dealt a bad draw. Metal Guru can be anticipated to have come on for his recent run at Brighton as that had followed a six month sabbatical. Paddy Jack is exposed as plating class and is sure to show plenty of early speed. King Of Swords has cheekpieces on for the first time. The gelding could be incredibly well handicapped on the basis of form from a few years ago. Strensall is now very much in the veteran stage of his career and regrettably seems to be very much on the downgrade. Blow Your Mind has an interesting jockey booking in Paul Hanagan and will be visored for the first time. Not a race that will be making too many headlines on Wednesday and Sir Don is the nomination to a minimum stakes play.
Metal Guru 8-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon one pace, 5th of 11, 5l behind Multahab (9-2) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fm in Jul.
Toy Top (USA) 15-2 (8-13) Awkward start, in rear, pushed along and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 6th of 10, 1/2l behind Blessed Place (8-10) at Thirsk 5f app hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Blow Your Mind 33-1 (9-3) Chased leader, weakened entering final furlong, 9th of 10, 9l behind Optical Illusion (9-5) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Calypso Girl (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Chased winner to 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, last of 7, 8l behind Fyelehk (9-6) at Folkestone 6f 3yo app hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Sir Don (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Chased leaders to halfway, 11th of 13, 12l behind Only A Game (9-7) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fm in Jun.
Monsieur Reynard 20-1 (8-13) Chased leader stand side pair, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 5l behind Russian Rocket (9-1) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Spirit of Coniston 20-1 (8-7) Prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 9l behind Hotham (9-4) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Lithaam (IRE) 3-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed last 1/2f , weakened and lost 4 places near finish, 6th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Rough Rock (8-9) at Yarmouth 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jul.
Strensall 16-1 (10-9) Prominent, edged right 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 5l behind Ingleby Star (11-5) at Ayr 5f (6) gd in Jul.
Future Gem 9-1 (8-4) Awkward start, raced wide, soon chased leaders, effort and edged left from over 1f out, led briefly inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 12, nk behind Neo's Mate (8-10) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Jul.
Red Cell (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, driven and weakened final furlong, 9th of 11, 9l behind Dancing Wave (8-6) at Redcar 5f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jun.
Paddy Jack 14-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1l behind What A Fella (8-9) at Hamilton 5f mdn sll stks (6) gf in Jul.
Excitable (IRE) 9-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway under pressure on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Bluebok (9-2) at Lingfield 5f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Jul.
King Of Swords (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along halfway, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, no impression final furlong, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Neo's Mate (8-10) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Jul.
Gleaming Spirit (IRE) 40-1 (8-8) Always in rear, last of 10, 11l behind Blessed Place (8-10) at Thirsk 5f app hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
