steadied start, in rear, ridden and some late headway, never on terms
made all, clear 5f out, ridden over 1f out, unchallenged
towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
slowly away towards rear, wide and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased
close up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and short of room over 2f out, held when hampered over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased clear winner, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
Clay Regazzoni didn't run too badly here last time despite failing to follow up a narrow Musselburgh success. He's one of a number who perform pretty consistently without winning too often, with recent Newcastle fourth, Mikmak, also entering that category. The latter was running off a mark in the low 80s a year ago, so really ought to be competitive off just 59. Clotherholme has a good claim despite a 0-14 strike rate if forgiven a disappointment last time as his overall profile reflects steady progress this term. Chinese Spirit is respected but FROG AND TOAD, a promising second last time, is coming along steadily and must have more to offer after just the four starts.
Firby (IRE) 33-1 (9-12) Mid-division on outside, outpaced when edged left towards far side rail over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, took 4th near finish, no impression, 4th of 16, 3 3/4l behind Gamesters Icon (10-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Clay Regazzoni 5-1 (9-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 3f out, went 4th over 1f out, kept on, not trouble leaders, 4th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Antagonize (9-11) at Hamilton 1m hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Mikmak 4-1 (9-10) Slowly away, towards rear, smooth headway to mid-division before pushed after 2f out, ridden inside final furlong and kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Confrontational (10-2) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Makyon (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, well beaten final furlong, 9th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Maximum Risk (8-11) at Musselburgh 7f hcp (6) gd in Jun.
Frog And Toad (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway on outside 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Qasbaz (10-0) at Doncaster 1m hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Sienna Dream 20-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, effort on outside over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Celtic Empress (9-2) at Hamilton 1m hcp fll (5) gs in May.
Depp (IRE) 80-1 (9-1) Held up in mid-division, pushed along inside final 3f, ridden chasing leaders over 2f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 11, 9 1/2l behind Raadobarg (9-8) at Thirsk 1m stks (5) sft in May.
Clotherholme (IRE) 11-2fav (9-0) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 10th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Maximum Risk (8-11) at Musselburgh 7f hcp (6) gd in Jun.
Chinese Spirit (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Held up in mid-division, effort over 3f, ridden over 2f out, always just held by winner final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Antagonize (9-11) at Hamilton 1m hcp (6) gd in Jul.