close up on outside, driven and lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, behind until driven, kept on final furlong, never nearer
with leader, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on until headed, no extra near finish
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and weakened well over 1f out
mid-division, headway on inside 2f out, ridden, stayed on same pace final furlong, no impression
led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on until no extra well inside final furlong
hampered start, behind, driven and some late headway from over 1f out, never near leaders
with leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
held up, ridden and headway well over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead near finish
This is a good handicap to close the card and the vote is given to Violent Velocity; Mandarin Spirit and Stoic Leader are the others to consider. The selection ran well in defeat last time when he chased home Musaalem at Thirsk. The winner got the first run on him that day but Violent Velocity still ran well and although the draw could have been kinder he should go close. Mandarin Spirit will be suited by the return to this trip but this 8-year-old looks to be on the decline and he is hard to recommend with confidence. Stoic Leader has a good draw and he has won over this course and distance but he put in a below-par effort at Musselburgh last time. Dudley Docker is another that has not been done any favours by the draw, and for the winner we will stick with Violent Velocity.
Angaric (IRE) 5-1fav (9-4) Held up behind leaders, driven over 1f out, ran on to lead entering final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Osteopathic Remedy (8-12) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Dudley Docker (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, always behind, 11th of 13, 15l behind Yes One (8-9) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Stellite (8-10) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Violent Velocity (IRE) 9-4fav (8-9) Steadied start, held up, headway over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Musaalem (9-4) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Flying Valentino 12-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 7l behind The Bear (8-8) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
King Harson 14-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 10l behind Daaweitza (9-0) at Catterick 7f hcap (4) gd.
Mandarin Spirit (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) In touch, not much room over 1f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Trinculo (8-11) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Augustus John (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden and headed, kept on, 2nd of 12, nk behind Stretton (8-12) at Chester 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May '07.
