towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, never nearer
always behind
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
chased leader, ridden and hung left over 1f out, weakening when not much room final furlong, soon eased
mid-division, headway 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure final furlong, not reach leaders
chased leaders to over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no impression when edged left inside final furlong, soon weakened
slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no impression when not much room inside final furlong
behind, ridden and headway on outside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
dwelt, behind until kept on over 1f out, never near leaders
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no impression
led, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong
always behind
always towards rear
never better than mid-division
A tough race to call here for punters with many in with chances on their best form but the principals look to be Count Cougar,Best Lead and Malahide Express and the vote is given to Best Lead. The selection won well last time out when beating Largs and although he has a penalty for that win he has won off a higher mark in the past and he is taken to win again. Count Cougar rates the main danger on his best form but he just gave the impression the handicapper had caught up with him when third behind Taboor last time and for that reason he is passed over on this occasion. Malahide Express is another with place claims but he was behind the selection last time and although he is better off at the weights he still has a little to find. Shatin Leader won well last time out but will find this harder under his penalty and from a bad draw. Of the remainder Ballybunion goes particularly well at the track and could run well at a price but in a race where stakes should be kept to a minimum for the winner we return to Best Lead who is taken to overcome a moderate draw.
New Options 12-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at W'hampton 5f hcp (6) pol beating Smirfys Night (8-8) by 2l, 12 ran.
Malahide Express (IRE) 7-2fav (9-0) Led stands' side, ridden over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Best Lead (8-5) at Hamilton 5f hcp (6) gf.
Best Lead 11-1 (8-5) Chased leaders stands' side, ridden 3f out, good headway final furlong to lead close home, won at Hamilton 5f hcp (6) gf beating Largs (8-1) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Count Cougar (USA) 15-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed close home, no extra, 3rd of 16, 1/2l behind Taboor (9-2) at Catterick 5f hcp (6) gf.
Torrent 12-1 (9-0) Always behind stands' side, 12th of 15, 11l behind Best Lead (8-5) at Hamilton 5f hcp (6) gf.
Smirfys Night 9-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden well over 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 12, 2l behind New Options (9-1) at W'hampton 5f hcp (6) pol.
Loughlorien (IRE) 25-1 (8-1) Behind, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 5l behind Absent Friends (9-0) at Catterick 5f clm (6) gf.
Mystery Pips 25-1 (8-4) Chased winner, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 16, shd behind Absent Friends (9-0) at Catterick 5f clm (6) gf.
