in touch, pushed along over 2f out, struggling to hold place when slightly bumped well over 1f out, soon weakened
always prominent, led over 1f out, soon ridden, just held on
half reared start, held up, not clear run over 1f out until switched left and headway entering final furlong, ran on, nearest finish
rider late removing blindfold and swerved badly right start, headway to chase leaders 6f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway on inside when not clear run well over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
chased leaders, hampered on inside over 6f out, lost place headway over 1f out, stayed on
with leader, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, effort when not much room and bumped over 1f out, one pace
took keen hold in rear, ridden well over 1f out, no impression
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, ran on well towards finish, just failed
stumbled start, always prominent, raced keenly, went 2nd briefly inside final furlong, not quicken
led headed 2f outn weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, no headway
Zabeel Dancer has to overcome a negative high draw here,but the fact that his realistic dangers also have the same problem he is taken to land this opener. The selection carries a six pound penalty for winning at Mussleburgh recently. Prior to that he had back to back wins at the same venue and Thirsk indicating he is in the form of his life right now. The handicapper has also taken his time to punish him so we feel he could still be potentially well treated. Of his rivals Fiefdom could pose the biggest danger after catching the eye at Mussleburgh when second to Sunnyside Tom, but the fact that his draw of 15 is pitched out somewhere near the car park means he has an unrealistic mission. The same can be said about Mountain Pass who won at Brighton last time out but his trainer does have a good strike rate at this track. But for the winner we return to Zabeel Dancer.
Sands of Barra (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 6l behind Shotley Mac (8-11) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Zabeel Tower 11-4fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, led entering final furlong, stayed on, won at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf beating Joshua's Gold (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Mountain Pass (USA) 9-2co-fav (9-8) Held up well in touch, headway over 2f out, soon switched to chase leader, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Brighton 1m clm (6) frm beating Split The Wind (9-3) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Wahoo Sam (USA) 7-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and switched right 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Bath 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Wrighty Almighty (9-5) by a nk, 13 ran.
Derricks Dotty 5-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 11, 7l behind Crimson Fern (8-12) at W'hampton 7f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Oct.
Tanforan 15-2 (9-6) In rear, stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 6th of 10, 5l behind Bentley (9-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Komreyev Star 16-1 (8-1) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, no chance when eased inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 21l behind Muhannak (9-9) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Ensign's Trick 33-1 (8-13) Dwelt, soon in touch, every chance over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Chin Wag (9-0) at Ayr 1m hcp (6) gf.
Beck 11-8fav (8-9) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 8, 5l behind Zabeel House (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk 0-55 (6) pol in Dec.
Mangano 50-1 (8-6) Always towards rear, last of 13, 15l behind Flying Valentino (9-1) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Just Oscar (GER) 12-1 (9-9) Behind, effort over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 12, 17l behind Bivouac (10-3) at Doncaster 1m ldy rds hcp (6) gd.
Reveur 11-1 (8-3) Behind, pushed along 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind April Fool (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Mister Benji 16-1 (7-12) Tracked winner and keen, hampered over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, faded, 10th of 12, 8l behind Sion Hill (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Smart Pick 33-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride and always behind, 5th of 6, 14l behind Shady Gloom (9-1) at Hamilton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) gf.
Fiefdom (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Sunnyside Tom (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Cap St Jean (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Steadied start, took keen hold early, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon carried slightly left, stayed on inside final furlong, no danger, 4th of 12, 8l behind Choreography (9-5) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) frm.
