with leaders, ridden and lost place 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, effort 2f out, soon ridden and beaten
with leader, driven over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
behind, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, never nearer
always towards rear
chased leaders, effort and every chance over 1f out, ridden and kept on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, stayed on well
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened final furlong
Recent good form is limited amongst the runners in this handicap and it looks wide open as any of the 15 that run look capable of being ahead at the post but we side with RACOON who heads our shortlist in front of Darcy's Pride and Liberty Ship. The selection was a winner over 5f at Nottingham last time and his past form stands out from the rest here. The gelding is nine years old now, but he was still in great form last season and looks capable of victory here while he is in such good shape. Darcy's Pride has proved to be a rather inconsistent sort in the past. The filly was a winner at Redcar early last month but failed to follow up last time. She has got it in here though but the selection should prove too good. Liberty Ship was second behind the selection last time. He has yet to win in 12 attempts but has never finished out of the first six. He is on an interesting mark now but a repeat of his last outing looks likely. The market should reveal the clues to the rest in what should prove to be a very competitive race but for us RACOON looks capable of edging it.
Cayman Fox 4-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 14l behind Northern Empire (8-13) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Baybshambles (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Behind, effort over 2f out, no impression, 12th of 18, 6l behind Ingleby Star (8-8) at Redcar 5f hcap (5) gs in Sep.
Angle of Attack (IRE) 22-1 (8-8) Led, headed over 1f out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 11l behind Steelcut (8-12) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr.
Raccoon (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Led far side group, overall leader 2f out, driven inside final furlong, stayed on well (new track record), won at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr beating Liberty Ship (8-13) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Restless Genius (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, behind until kept on final 2f, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Nomoreblondes (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Circuit Dancer (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, outpaced halfway, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 5l behind Nomoreblondes (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Joyeaux 5-1fav (11-12) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, 13l behind Tenancy (9-12) at Musselburgh 5f am hcp (6) sft in Nov.
Feelin Foxy 10-1 (8-10) Chased leaders to halfway, last of 15, 17l behind Kyzer Chief (8-4) at Ripon 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Rio Sands 6-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Imperial Sword (7-12) at Ripon 5f app hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Nusoor (IRE) 18-1 (8-5) Chased leaders to over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 10th of 12, 8l behind Efistorm (8-13) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Liberty Ship 13-2 (8-13) Raced far side, chased winner, driven and every chance over 1f out, unable to quicken towards finish, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Raccoon (9-3) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr.
Darcy's Pride (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Mid-division, effort halfway, no impression, 8th of 10, 10l behind Mandalay King (9-0) at Catterick 5f app hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Coconut Moon 25-1 (9-0) Always in the rear, last of 10, 23l behind Blue Tomato (8-10) at Wolverhampton 5f clm stks (6) pol in Oct.
The Lord 12-1 (8-8) last of 11, 13l behind Tudor Prince (8-13) at Kempton 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Top Bid 25-1 (8-13) Raced stands side, held up in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 6th of 15, 3l behind Raccoon (9-3) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr.
