raced on wide outside, pushed along halfway, always towards rear
held up in mid-division, headway travelling well 2f out, ran on final furlong to take 2nd last strides but no chance with easy winner
keen hold, steadied in rear, well behind final 2f
slowly into stride, soon in mid-division on rail, ridden 2f out and soon weakened
in touch until weakened over 2f out
led against near side rail, headed over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, soon weakened
close up, headway going well 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear final furlong
held up in rear, headway on wide outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
dwelt, held up in mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
towards rear on wide outside, ridden and no impression final 2f
pressed leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no chance with easy winner final furlong and lost 2nd final strides
chased leaders, upsides and every chance 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
slowly into stride, steadied in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on final furlong but never going pace to reach leaders
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden halfway, losing place when not much room 2f out
Kingscross, Royal Challenge and Pic Up Sticks form the short-list and our vote goes to the first named. Kingscross shaped encouragingly on a reappearance bow at Leicester and with the ground likely to be on the fast side - conditions look to suit. Royal Challenge ran as if needing the run at Pontefract. He could be potentially well-treated off his handicap mark so the early morning market is watched with purpose. Pic Up Sticks is now in the care of Brendan Powell. The grey is not the force he once was but course-and-distance form should never be underestimated. Caprichio and Grizedale are regulars in these events and are sure to run their races. Chinalea has the edge of racefitness but the handicapper has had plenty of chance to have a look at him. Golden Dixie has ablility although he has also had problems with breaking blood vessels in the past. Ron Harris takes the somewhat unusual move of running him off 10st 4lb. Digital should like the ground but is plenty exposed. Marker is a previous winner at the course albeit on soft ground. Kingscross looks to have all the ticks in the right boxes and is nominated accordingly.
Golden Dixie (USA) 3-1fav (9-4) Hampered soon after start, in touch, ridden, one pace final 2f, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Wicked Uncle (8-8) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Pic Up Sticks 10-1 (9-5) Raced in rear far side, ran on steadily from over 1f out, nearest finish, 4th of 20, 2 1/2l behind Beaver Patrol (9-2) at Goodwood 6f hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Buy On The Red 16-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Pure Imagination (8-0) at Newmarket 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Kingscross 25-1 (9-2) Hampered start, held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 17, 5l behind Swinbrook (9-1) at Leicester 6f hcap (4) gd in Apr.
Briannsta (IRE) 40-1 (9-4) Chased leaders until lost place over 2f out, 11th of 17, 13l behind Swinbrook (9-1) at Leicester 6f hcap (4) gd in Apr.
Oranmore Castle (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Always behind, last of 15, 24l behind Pure Imagination (8-0) at Newmarket 6f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Romany Nights (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Held up rear, ridden over 3f out, never a factor, 9th of 14, 9l behind Judd Street (9-2) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Royal Challenge 16-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Zomerlust (9-12) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Apr.
Grizedale (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Started slowly, held up, chased leaders halfway, soon ridden, weakened from 2f out, 8th of 14, 9l behind Judd Street (9-2) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Capricho (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Behind, not clear run over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 17, 9l behind Swinbrook (9-1) at Leicester 6f hcap (4) gd in Apr.
Chinalea (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) With leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Judd Street (9-2) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Kempsey 33-1 (8-12) Soon pushed along in rear, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Spanish Ace (9-10) at Folkestone 5f hcap (5) gf in Apr.
Marker 14-1 (8-11) Mid-division, effort on outside, ridden to challenge 1f out, ridden, not quicken final furlong, 5th of 15, 1l behind Adantino (8-6) at Windsor 6f app hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Digital 8-1 (9-4) Prominent, driven over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 9th of 18, 6l behind Dispol Isle (8-7) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Silent Storm 16-1 (9-1) Went left start, chased leaders, ridden and weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 3l behind Binanti (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcap (4) pol in Mar.
