slowly into stride, sent forward to chase leaders after 2f, effort over 2f out, no impression
led until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
tracked leader, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, lost place over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, stayed on same pace
held up, headway over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, kept on under pressure
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
held up, headway over 3f out, never on terms
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer
held up, never dangerous
held up in rear, never a factor
NonRunner
HANDIWORK has won this for the past two years, both times returning from a long break. He's only 1lb higher than a year ago so a hat-trick beckons. Addicted To You was strongly fancied at Southwell last time but didn't quite see out the extended 2m2f and this is his trip. Bailarico, a winning point-to-pointer, completed a five-timer on fast going last summer and scored over hurdles in January but the handicapper looked to have caught up with him at Pontefract last time. Groveman has been in good form over hurdles this year and is on a reasonable mark so a big run is expected and there are plenty of other dangers in a competitive handicap with the lightly-raced Carnwennan very much included if ready after a break.
Addicted To You (IRE) 5-4fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, tracked winner 6f out, ridden over 2f out, not pace to challenge, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Mixboy (9-9) at Southwell 2m 2f hcp (3) pol in Apr.
Stone The Crows 28-1 (9-5) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 9 3/4l behind The Grand Visir (10-0) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Handiwork 13-2 (10-0) Mid-division on inside, ridden and weakened inside final 2f, 5th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Lucky Deal (9-11) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Stormin Tom (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Always towards rear, 13th of 15, 15 3/4l behind Illustrissime (8-13) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Dagueneau (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 11, 8 1/2l behind Eddystone Rock (9-2) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Groveman 10-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, stayed on same pace after last, 3rd of 15, 6 1/2l behind Legal History (10-4) at Ascot 2m hcp fll (2) gd in Mar.
October Storm 7-2fav (8-11) Held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Waiting For Richie (8-7) at York 2m hcp (3) gf in May.
Carnwennan (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden on outside over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, gaining close home, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Seinesational (9-0) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Moon of Baroda 5-2 (9-13) Held up in mid-division, pushed along and headway well over 1f out, ridden entering final furlong, stayed on one pace, 4th of 9, 2l behind Endlessly (9-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Bailarico (IRE) 11-4cfav (9-12) Raced wide held up, headway to track leaders 6f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 5 1/4l behind Valkenburg (9-0) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Iolani (GER) 18-1 (11-9) Held up up rear, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened next, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Ninepointsixthree (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Royal Flag 20-1 (9-11) Raced wide close up, pushed along 7f out, weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Tynecastle Park (9-7) at Southwell 2m hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Arty Campbell (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Tracked clear leading pair, slipped on bend and lost momentum briefly bend before 7th, closed 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out where stumbled, ridden and one pace between last 2, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Cahill (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) fm in Oct.
