tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on until headed, no extra well inside final furlong
held up, outpaced 3f out, ridden and stayed on under pressure final furlong, no impression with leading pair
held up in rear, switched outside and headway well over 1f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
behind, outpaced over 3f out, never on terms
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong
chased leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, driven and headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
Not quite up to the standard of our previous handicap but still good stuff and David Nicholls has strong claims here too with BONNIE PRINCE BLUE who is prefered over Mr Wolf and Wyatt Earp. The selection's form tailed off towards the end of last season but he made a nice reappearance at Hamilton two weeks ago. He has an excellent strike rate over this trip and he should go well here off a mark just two pounds higher than his last winning rating and on ground that suits. Mr Wolf is also well treated here at just a pound above his last winning mark though recent performances have shown a drop in form and he could do with the ground drying a little. Wyatt Earp has been running well under similar burdens but might need a favour from the handicapper before scoring again while Vhujon and Johannes should also be respected off fair looking marks. Another decent race to get stuck into then where Bonnie Prince Blue looks the one to be on.
Wyatt Earp (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden haflway, no impression final furlong, 6th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Machinist (9-4) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Kashimin (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Hampered start, soon tracking leaders, effort over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 8l behind Borasco (9-3) at Redcar 7f hcap (4) gd in Aug.
Vhujon (IRE) 5-2fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on well to lead inside final furlong, driven clear, won at Salisbury 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Golden Dixie (8-5) by 3l, 8 ran.
El Dececy (USA) 50-1 (8-6) Soon led, set decent pace, sometimes hung right on bend, headed well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 21l behind Cheshire Prince (8-4) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Grazeon Gold Blend 25-1 (8-13) Dwelt, always behind, last of 13, 12l behind Excusez Moi (9-4) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Bonnie Prince Blue 10-3fav (9-12) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Castles In The Air (9-10) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Dig Deep (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Chased leaders stands side until weakened over 1f out, 15th of 16, 9l behind Mandurah (8-6) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Johannes (IRE) 13-2 (8-9) Slowly into stride, held up mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on towards finish, 6th of 11, 6l behind My Gacho (9-5) at Lingfield 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Mr Wolf 5-1fav (9-3) Led, headed halfway, soon beaten, 11th of 12, 11l behind Elijah Pepper (8-1) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.