dwelt, towards rear, headway over 3f out, went 3rd over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
tracked leader, with leader 6f out, led over 4f out, clear over 3f out, eased towards finish
led, headed over 4f out, soon lost place
tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
in rear, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace and no impression
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, kept on and always well held by winner, lost 2nd place towards finish
Strikemaster, who loves a stamina test and is only 4lb higher than when gaining a comfortable victory at Thirsk, was engaged in the 5.15 at Ripon yesterday and that should have some bearing on this event. Mister Carter was engaged in the second division of the same race so may be denied an opportunity to gain revenge for his defeat by Lee James' charge at Thirsk, where his rider went for home a long way out. Danceintothelight recovered from a disastrous spell of jumping to post a fine effort at Carlisle but LOOKS LIKE RAIN scored over 1m4f at York in June and is even better suited by this trip. He gets the nod in what could prove a depleted field as Nashville is still a maiden on Turf and still looks a couple of pounds high.
Looks Like Rain 20-1 (9-11) Slowly away, soon tracked winner, weakened over 3f out, last of 5, 50l behind Special Meaning (9-6) at Pontefract 1m 4f flls hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Nashville (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, pushed along over 5f out, soon outpaced, stayed on final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Almagest (10-4) at Beverley 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Mister Carter (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led over 4f out, clear 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Strikemaster (10-6) at Thirsk 2m am hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Danceintothelight 20-1 (9-1) In touch, headway over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Come Here Yew (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 1f ladies hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Strikemaster (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Thirsk 2m am hcp 0-65 (6) gd beating Frosty Berry (10-10) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Bijou Dan 40-1 (7-13) Soon pressed leader, lost place and ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 29l behind Hawk Mountain (9-7) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Jebulani 2-1fav (7-13) Led, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Bayan Kasirga (8-13) at Thirsk 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gs.