soon outpaced and towards rear, ridden along halfway, some late headway, never reached challenging position
towards rear, headway when not much room 2f out, not recover
mid-division, ridden along when outpaced halfway, driven and stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, headway 2f out, driven approaching final furlong, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
led, headed 3f out, soon behind
in touch, ridden to lead 3f out, kept on until headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened 2f out
Despite almost hanging away his chance Tartan Gigha had a fair bit in hand at Carlisle last time and can win this on his handicap debut from Dream Express. Mark Johnston has made a sensible switch from right handed tracks, where Tartan Gigha has hung left on his last two starts, to this left handed circuit, and the move can pay dividends. Although not a hot maiden that he won at Carlisle, the gelding still had a bit more to come and can improve again. Dream Express races from the same mark as when comfortably accounted for last time. He likes it here and on good ground, so he does have ticks in a couple of boxes and with a little more handicapping experience than some he must be taken seriously. Noble Citizen is running pretty well in defeat and therefore the assessor has been reluctant to drop him, and that could again work against him today. Johnny Lesters Hair went close at Beverley last time and is on the same mark, so he is respected, but Tartan Gigha can keep them all in check.
Tartan Gigha (IRE) 1-2fav (9-3) Made all, ridden and edged left 2f out, hung badly left inside final furlong, kept on, won at Carlisle 7f mdn stk (5) frm in Jul beating Beauchamp Wizard (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Sam's Cross (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Led centre group and well on terms, headed over 2f out, soon one paced, 8th of 12, 7l behind Silver Wind (9-2) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Style Award 15-2 (8-10) Chased leaders, outpaced when edged right over 2f out, no impression when hampered well over 1f out, 4th of 7, 8l behind Captain Dunne (8-12) at Thirsk 5f 3yo hcp (4) sft.
Dream Express (IRE) 11-2 (8-9) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Horatio Carter (8-9) at Carlisle 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Blindspin 16-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, weakened and eased final furlong, 11th of 12, 22l behind Horatio Carter (8-9) at Carlisle 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Willkandoo (USA) 5-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed 1f out and soon weakened, last of 6, 4 1/2l behind Brasingaman Hifive (9-0) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (4) gs.
Dhhamaan (IRE) 18-1 (9-3) Behind, outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous, last of 7, 15l behind Devinius (8-5) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft.
Jonny Lesters Hair (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Led, ridden 2f out, hard pressed and headed near line, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Mr Toshiwonka (9-3) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Dancing Maite 6-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, stayed on, 7th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Royal Grace (8-11) at Doncaster 5f 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Baronovici (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Soon driven, never on terms, 6th of 7, 12l behind Pavershooz (9-7) at Catterick 6f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Noble Citizen (USA) 13-2 (8-10) Held up in touch of main group, effort 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Nezami (8-12) at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
