mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
led 3f, weakened well over 1f out
mid-division, headway 3f out, led 2f out, ran on well inside final furlong
in rear, ridden 2f out, no progress
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened well inside final furlong
in rear, ridden and struggling when hung left well over 1f out
soon outpaced, some headway over 1f out, no impression
always prominent, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, no impression on winner
held up, headway over 2f out, edged left from over 1f out, one pace final furlong
chased leader, led 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
Steel Blue was a comfortable winner of what was admittedly a poor contest at Thirsk last time but he showed good pace throughout and with the cheekpieces remaining intact, he looks a revived old character and can land the hat-trick here. The in-foal Katie Boo returned to winning ways last time but up to that point she had shown quite a moderate level of form. The History Man will be better suited by this return to six furlongs while Memphis Man is one with each claims as connections opt to campaign him back over six furlongs. Steel Blue is given the vote in what is a very competitive handicap.
Katie Boo (IRE) 7-2 (8-8) In touch, ridden over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Hamilton 5f fll hcp (4) gd beating Hypnosis (9-2) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
The History Man (IRE) 11-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden halfway, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Commander Wish (9-0) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Memphis Man 16-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Esoterica (9-3) at York 7f hcap (4) gf in Jul.
Ingleby Princess 13-2 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway final furlong, one pace, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Rothesay Dancer (8-12) at Ayr 6f fll hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Trimlestown (IRE) 4-1fav (8-10) Slowly away, always towards rear, weakened 2f out, last of 11, 28l behind Methaaly (9-2) at York 6f hcap (4) gf in Jul.
Prince Golan (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) In rear, one pace final 2f, 7th of 14, 6l behind Cool Sands (8-12) at Southwell 6f hcap (5) fbs in Jul.
Gilded Cove 8-1 (9-3) Outpaced, ran on inside in final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 13, 7l behind Mafaheem (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in May.
Morse (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Went left start, soon in touch, pushed along halfway, soon no impression, 6th of 12, 7l behind Sovereignty (9-9) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jul.
City For Conquest (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden along halfway, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Comptonspirit (9-7) at Pontefract 5f hcap (5) gf in Jul.
Orotund 10-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Avontuur (9-7) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jun.
Steel Blue 11-8fav (8-7) Made all, ridden 2f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs beating Bazroy (9-3) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Valentino Swing (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Raced wide behind, ridden over 3f out, and never dangerous from over 2f out, 8th of 12, 8l behind Millfields Dreams (9-1) at Kempton 7f app hcp (5) pol in Jul.
Avoncreek 40-1 (8-4) Towards rear, never dangerous, 13th of 14, 10l behind Steel Blue (9-0) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
