mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out to lead inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, headway to lead well over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, kept on, no chance inside final furlong, no extra close home
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, some headway until one pace final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway from over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
always towards rear
prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on until one pace inside final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened
A very tricky contest and Viewforth is selected as a sporting option over Rancho Cucamonga and Frimley's Mattery, who are quite closely matched and have to be respected given their level of recent form. Frimley's Mattery has come good at the right time and, having run well here in the past, he shouldn't be dismissed lightly. However, he would not want too much give underfoot and it will be prudent to assess the going before getting heavily involved with the Ron Barr-trained gelding. Rancho Cucamonga and Viewforth are old rivals and there is unlikely to be much between them again - but Viewforth edges preference in that personal battle on this occasion. Ian Semple's charge is a multiple course winner and; as he is impervious to the state of the ground, a big run is expected from what appears to be a favourable draw.
Scuba (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, all out, won at Southwell 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jul beating Rosein (9-10) by a shd, 13 ran.
Joyeaux 14-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on, not reach leaders, 4th of 12, 3l behind Magic Rush (9-10) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Viewforth 9-4fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Catch The Cat (8-12) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Winthorpe (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 12, 7l behind Paddywack (8-7) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Piccolo Prince 14-1 (9-4) Raced alone stands' side, kept on, 4th of 15, 4l behind Petite Mac (9-2) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Rancho Cucamonga (IRE) 11-8fav (9-9) Held up, smooth headway to chase leaders over 1f out, soon ridden, led entering final furlong, ridden clear inside final furlong, won at Hamilton 6f app hcp (6) gf beating Our Mary (9-2) by 2l, 6 ran.
Frimley's Matterry 8-1 (8-8) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Redcar 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf beating Missperon (9-4) by a nk, 17 ran.
Dispol Katie 7-1 (9-11) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 10, 2l behind Oeuf A La Neige (8-7) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.