in touch in 4th, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on and always held
tracked winner until over 1f out, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
made all, ridden over 2f out, kept on well
in rear, headway over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
Not a strong end to the card and the narrow verdict goes to KING ZEAL ahead of Dream Win and Ghufa. The last-named is of interest given how well he is holding his form but the handicapper has started to tighten his grip, probably to the point where a win is unlikely. The selection won two on the spin at Nottingham in June before flopping at Chepstow. That run was too bad to be true and another chance is given. If his mark of 63 proves to be beyond him then it may pay to side with Dream Win. Brian Ellison has his runners in good form and this Oasis Dream colt won emphatically at Wolverhampton last month. An 8lb higher mark makes life tough but he should run well. Ra Junior needs a market check as he is dangerously well-handicapped whilst Cool Baranca needs to forget a poor run here last time out. King Zeal gets the nod.
Ghufa (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Held up, outpaced 3f out, ridden and headway approaching 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, kept on, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Sparkling Smile (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Cool Baranca (GER) 12-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 16l behind Snow Dancer (8-13) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Ra Junior (USA) 33-1 (9-7) Led, headed well over 6f out, remained close up, weakened well over 1f out and hung left, 16th of 19, 20l behind Kindest (9-5) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
King Zeal (IRE) 7-2 (8-12) Keen in mid-division on outside, headway 3f out, no impression over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 9l behind Corrib (8-2) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Pitbull 100-1 (8-5) Dwelt, in rear, ridden over 2f out, never in contention, 7th of 11, 11l behind Bajan Pride (9-3) at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Dream Win 11-4 (9-5) Went right start, made all, ridden over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun beating Star Addition (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.