led early, in touch, not clear run 2f out, ridden to chase winner 1f out until post
slowly into stride, always behind
mid-division, headway and bumped 2f out, ridden over 1f out
raced wide, mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch to halfway
hampered soon after, towards rear, ridden halfway, headway and switched right over 1f out, kept on, not troubled leaders
soon led, ridden over 1f out, ran on
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakening when hampered over 1f out
prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
behind, not clear run 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, hung right and one pace inside final furlong
soon outpaced, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous
towards rear, headway halfway, ridden when not clear run over 1f out, ran on to go 2nd post
A wide open contest rounds off the card and there is very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Handsome Cross, Ptarmigan Ridge and Malapropism and the vote is given to Handsome Cross. The selection was disappointing last time out but prior to that he had been a good second over course and distance. He again has conditions to suit and from a good draw he looks a value bet. Ptarmigan Ridge rates the main danger as he won well last time when beating Blackheath. However he has a poor draw and consistency is not his strong point so he is taken on. Malapropism is another worthy of respect as he has dropped to a handy mark but he has shown little of late so can not be put forward with any confidence. Bold Minstrel has been in good form but is rising in the weights without winning. Of the remainder, Circuit Dancer has the plot draw and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to course specialist Handsome Cross.
Handsome Cross (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 18, 11l behind Ptarmigan Ridge (8-2) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Bo McGinty (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, 13th of 18, 9l behind Ptarmigan Ridge (8-2) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Malapropism 14-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden and edged left over 1f out, soon outpaced, 9th of 11, 5l behind Caribbean Coral (9-5) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Bold Minstrel (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, led halfway, ridden, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Bluebok (9-2) at Yarmouth 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Circuit Dancer (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Behind, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out until weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 18, 7l behind Ptarmigan Ridge (8-2) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Monashee Brave (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) Made all, clear over 1f out, pushed out final furlong, won at Beverley 5f mdn stk (5) gs in Aug beating Yorke's Folly (8-9) by 7l, 18 ran.
Ptarmigan Ridge 25-1 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden halfway, good headway to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Ayr 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs beating Blackheath (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.
Magic Glade 12-1 (9-12) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Hello Roberto (8-13) at Salisbury 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
