chased leaders, effort well over 1f out, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, under pressure halfway, soon beaten
keen early, tracked leaders, driven to challenge well over 1f out, never on terms
always prominent, led over 1f out, soon hard ridden, stayed on strongly
behind, under pressure halfway, soon beaten
chased leaders, under pressure halfway, soon beaten
in touch, effort halfway, weakened over 1f out
behind, some late headway, never nearer
A tricky race for punters with plenty of exposed handicappers and holes can be picked in the form of many of them, but we hope that first-time blinkers have the desired effect on ATLANTIC BEACH, while Raccoon should not be far away. The latter is certainly capable of reversing form with Argentine, who beat him over course and distance last month. Ruth Carr's gelding is now 6lbs better off and should be able to eclipse that rival, though neither of them may be able to cope with Atlantic Beach. Richard Fahey's gelding acts well on fast ground and is still open to some improvement after just nine career starts. The application of blinkers and the drop back to the minimum trip makes him very interesting tonight and we will chance him. Joyeaux should also be able to finish closer to Argentine at today's weights and may even be able to reverse placings from that same recent course and distance contest, and she is back to something like a winning mark, so has to be considered. Sudden Impact showed at Thirsk last time that she is very competitive from this mark and over the trip, but Atlantic Beach is given the vote.
Argentine (IRE) 13-2 (10-4) Mid-division, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 8l behind Secret Venue (8-13) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Sudden Impact (IRE) 28-1 (9-10) Led, headed halfway and remained in touch, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind Le Toreador (9-12) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
First Order 12-1 (9-2) Pulled early towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 8l behind Misaro (9-0) at Salisbury 5f Handicap (0-80) (6yo+) (4) gd in Jun.
The Nifty Fox 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, driven and outpaced over 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 6l behind Sir Nod (8-11) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Crimea (IRE) 11-4fav (9-5) In touch, driven and edged left, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 9l behind Le Toreador (9-12) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Dickie Le Davoir 11-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway on outer from over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, edged right and ran on, won at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gs beating Red Cape (9-5) by 2l, 13 ran.
Atlantic Beach 9-2fav (9-0) Held up behind leaders, smooth headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Red Cape (9-0) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Tadalavil 12-1 (9-5) Held up and keen, outpaced halfway, last of 8, 9l behind Argentine (9-12) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Joyeaux 10-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Argentine (9-12) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Raccoon (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Led 1f, with leader, one pace entering final furlong, 4th of 8, 3l behind Secret Venue (8-13) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Highland Warrior 25-1 (9-2) In rear far side, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 5l behind Requisite (9-8) at Ripon 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jun.
