held up in touch, ridden and not much room final furlong, one pace
chased leaders, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed close home
slowly into stride, in rear, effort on outer over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up mid-division, effort and headway on inner over 1f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden and headway on inner over 1f out, soon hampered when not clear run approaching final furlong, one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, outpaced, kept on to lead close home
pushed along to lead, headed over 2f out, ridden and edged left approaching final furlong, no impression
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
In race three, Stretton is selected ahead of Rhaam and Active Asset. Stretton loves it here and has been dropped - generously, we feel - to a mark just one pound above his course and distance win of three runs ago. His latest two efforts have come over 14 furlongs and then on heavy going. Conditions will suit a lot better today and he is fully entitled to go well. Rhaam hails from the Barry Hills yard that does so well with its raiders here. He won his maiden at Pontefract last time, his form looks solid and he can go well. As can Active Asset, who has proven that he can go well from today's mark, although a wide draw is a bit of a concern. Finally, Mr Aitch won this race last year from a three-pound lower mark but lacks a recent run, Red Lancer likes it here and you cannot rule him out of bagging some money, Jack Of Trumps is well-handicapped with the selection based on May 2006 course and distance form but has been disappointing since, and Raffish is running well but maybe softer going is more preferable for him. Once again, then, for the selection, we will stick with Stretton.
Luna Landing 25-1 (8-10) Chased leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 8l behind Misty Dancer (8-10) at Ayr 1m 5f hcap (3) gd in Jun.
Stretton (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 11, 10l behind Spanish Hidalgo (9-3) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) hvy in Jul.
Jack of Trumps (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Held up in rear, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 10, 11l behind Night Cru (9-8) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
Rhaam 2-1fav (8-13) Held up, headway over 4f out, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, led post, won at Pontefract 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gd in Jul beating Yossi (8-13) by a shd, 11 ran.
Dove Cottage (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Led, edged left from rails from over 2f out, soon headed, stayed on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Polish Red (8-12) at Windsor 1m 4f hcap (4) gs in Jul.
Acuzio 7-1 (8-9) Held up in chasing group, headway over 6f out, chased winner until 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Nero West (8-13) at Chester 2m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jul.
Red Lancer 14-1 (8-12) Mid-division, progress on outer early straight, 7th 1 1/2f out, kept on, 6th of 17, 5l behind Arc Bleu (8-5) at Curragh 1m 4f prm hcp sft in Jul.
Raffish 11-4fav (8-10) Held up in touch and keen, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, led just inside final furlong, kept on well, won at York 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Jul beating Red Wine (8-10) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
