prominent, weakened 2f out
prominent, ridden and veered left over 1f out, soon weakened
behind, never dangerous
dwelt, towards rear, ridden and headway, 2f out, stayed on to lead toward finish
prominent, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong
behind, headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong
prominent and raced alone far side, no impression from well over 1f out
led, ridden over 1f out, kept on, headed towards finish
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace
close up, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
behind and outpaced, no impression from halfway
Soto, Dematraf and No Grouse are the three to look at here, with Soto taken to come out on top and follow up his Yarmouth win. Dematraf is running into form, and the mare has run well on her last two starts, both at Musselburgh. Her good performances have come on a faster surface however and she is taken on here. Seb Sanders is a notable booking for Eric Alston's No Grouse, who attempts to halt a winless run that has now stretched to two years. He ran well to be a close third in an amateur riders' race last time and can handle an easy surface so he may hit the frame again. Soto has not won the number of races he should have, but he seems to have picked up the winning thread now. Hailing from a yard that is apt to have a tilt at the ring when the time is right, he was sent on the long journey from his northerly base to land some good bets at Yarmouth last time. That win came on ground simialr to today's, and on only a two pound higher mark he can land this. Soto can win again.
Soto 9-4fav (9-7) Led, quickened up over 2f out, soon ridden, challenged inside final furlong, just held on, won at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft beating Mugeba (8-11) by a hd, 5 ran.
George The Best (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Never better than mid-division, 7th of 17, 8l behind Bold Haze (8-10) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
Night In (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, led well over 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 8th of 15, 3l behind Sedge (9-4) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Inca Soldier (FR) 9-1 (8-9) Held up, headway halfway, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating John Keats (9-3) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
No Grouse 16-1 (10-9) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Brut (11-0) at Hamilton 6f amt hcp (6) gf.
Strawberry Patch (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) In touch, driven and outpaced when hampered well over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Compton Classic (8-7) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Dematraf (IRE) 10-1 (8-2) Pushed along towards rear, headway to chase leaders halfway, led inside final furlong, won at Musselburgh 5f clm (6) gd beating Sharp Hat (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Shadow Jumper (IRE) 11-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Wodhill Schnaps (9-0) at Southwell 7f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs.