led, until ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, headway to lead over 1f out, driven out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen and in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
always behind
always behind
held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
behind, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong
chased leaders until ridden and weakened halfway
From a rather lengthy shortlist of Yorkshire Blue, Ice Planet, Ingleby Arch and Countdown, the nomination goes to Yorkshire Blue. Jim Goldie's eight-year-old was last seen finishing a fast-finishing second at Ripon having been outpaced at halfway. The gelding has traditionally taken several runs to come to boiling point but he shaped as if he would be winning very soon that day and on ground that suits, he can record another course and distance win to make it three wins and 2placings from six runs at the track. His draw isn't ideal but he is a horse that needs to come late and those with higher draws may just go off too quick early on and play into his hands. Ingleby Arch has been running consistently well and will love this quicker ground, whilst Dandy Nicholls is a man to be wary of in these sprints. His horses are hitting a bit of form and although neither of Machinest or Ice Planet have shown much of late, they cannot be ruled out. High Curragh is an improving young sprinter and looks a danger, along with Countdown who will love the frantic early pace but may just need a tad further on softer ground before he wins again. A very open contest, however Yorkshire Blue loves it around Hamilton and gets the vote to win again.
Ingleby Arch (USA) 6-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, effort approaching final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Commando Scott (8-4) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gs in May.
Prince Namid 11-2 (8-9) Mid-division, not clear run and switched right 2f out, ran on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Song of Passion (9-0) at Epsom 6f hcap (2) gd.
Dig Deep (IRE) 2-1fav (8-13) Steadied at start and held up, ridden 2f out, never reached challenging position, 7th of 9, 4l behind Magic Glade (8-11) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Sunrise Safari (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) Mid-division, effort when not much room over 1f out, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Ayr 5f hcap (4) gs in May beating Handsome Cross (9-7) by 1l, 8 ran.
Kenmore 3-1fav (9-2) Outpaced behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Sunrise Safari (8-11) at Ayr 5f hcap (4) gs in May.
Trojan Flight 7-1 (9-5) Pushed along towards rear, going well when not much room over 2f out until 1f out, kept on, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Desert Commander (9-11) at Ripon 6f hcap (3) gf.
Countdown 6-1 (9-4) Mid-division, not much room over 2f out and again over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 9, 5l behind Desert Commander (9-11) at Ripon 6f hcap (3) gf.
Balakiref 3-1fav (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden 2f out, ran on hung left inside final furlong, led post, won at Leicester 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in May beating Cornus (8-13) by a hd, 12 ran.
