with leaders far side group, weakened entering final furlong
chased leaders far side group, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, chased leaders stands side group, kept on final furlong
chased leaders far side group, every chance over 1f out, one pace
made all stands side and overall leader, ridden 2f out, stayed on well
slowly into stride, chased leader stands side group, kept on final furlong
chased leaders far side group, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders far side group, no extra inside final furlong
with leaders far side group and keen, weakened well over 1f out
AZURE MIST has been in consistent form of late and can gain further reward with another win here, while Avontuur and Bid For Gold look sure to get involved. The drop back to 6f did not appear to be a problem to the selection at Pontefract last time, and she went well there to make the frame. She seems to go on any surface, and although this track is not as stiff as Pontefract, she may still have the pace in a poor contest. Avontuur won a Wolverhampton handicap similar in grade last time and is effective at both this trip and 7f, and also on most ground. A 4lb rise for that success may not be insurmountable. Bid For Gold received 3lbs and finished half a length ahead of the selection at Pontefract, but even though they meet on the same terms, consistency is not the strong suit of Jedd O'Keefe's gelding and we are taking him on. Pacific Pride was well beaten from this mark last time and has top weight to shoulder here, so we'll give Azure Mist another chance.
Pacific Pride 8-1 (7-11) With leader, ridden and lost place over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 6l behind Total Impact (9-1) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Makshoof (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Always behind, last of 17, 28l behind Eton Rifles (9-4) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in May.
Istiqdaam 14-1 (9-11) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 8, 10l behind Reject (9-2) at Hamilton 6f mdn stks (5) gf in May.
Azure Mist 28-1 (9-9) Held up, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Swinbrook (9-9) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Bid For Gold 13-2 (9-6) Tracked leader, every chance when slightly hampered by standing bollard on track 2f out, stayed on under pressure towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Swinbrook (9-9) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Avontuur (FR) 14-1 (8-10) Started very slowly, well in rear, until headway on outer over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Vanadium (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Forrest Star 11-1 (8-10) In touch, raced keenly, hung left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 9l behind One More Round (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Andrasta 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 8l behind Argentine (9-5) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
The Salwick Flyer (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden along 3f out, weakened over 1f, 9th of 10, 17l behind Tri Chara (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs in Dec.