tracked leaders, going well, ridden entering final furlong, stayed on to lead final strides
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
keen, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out, joined inside final furlong, driven and headed final strides
pulled hard, held up, took closer order 5f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
Nonrunner
This looks a very competitive handicap on paper and while last time out winner Wee Charlie Castle is still well treated we make preference for ZUWAAR with course specialist Hawkridge King also on the shortlist. Consistency has been the selections party-piece for his last couple of starts having only just been caught late on to lose by the smallest of margins on both occasions. His mark remains unaffected from his latest close shave and with others in the field dealing with rising marks today could finally be his day again. The handicapper saw it fit to only raise Wee Charlie Castle's rating by two pounds despite a comfortable success for Ian Semple's charge last time. That was his first attempt over this trip and it could be he is still ahead of the assessor. Hawkridge King has taken two for his three career victories over course and distance and on that needs to be acknowledged despite carrying an extra eight pounds for cosy success on his latest start. Dolly Penrose has been running well in defeat but looks to have it all to do off of top weight so instead Zuwaar is taken to make consistency count.
Dolly Penrose 9-4 (9-13) Held up, headway to track leader after 4f, led over 8f out, headed just over 1f out, stayed on but lost 2 places near finish, 4th of 5, 1/2l behind Act Of Kalanisi (8-9) at Chester 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Wee Charlie Castle (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Held up, headway 3f out, led well inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating Piper's Song (8-10) by 2l, 6 ran.
Princess Rainbow (FR) 11-4 (10-0) Took keen hold, soon led, set steady pace, hard ridden over 2f out, driven and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Going For Gold (9-1) at Haydock 1m 4f (5) fm.
Mudawin (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Led, pushed along 4f out, stayed on until headed and outpaced 2f out, plugged on one pace after, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Hawridge King (8-7) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fm.
Puy d'Arnac (FR) 7-2 (9-0) Prominent early, steadied after 2f, held up in rear, headway 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Bergonzi (9-1) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Dazzling Light (UAE) 13-2 (9-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final 2f, no impression, 5th of 15, 10l behind Overrule (9-6) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Hawridge King 2-1fav (8-7) Tracked leading pair, headway on outside travelling well over 3f out, led 2f out, in command when ridden and hung left over 1f out, kept on strongly, won at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fm beating Trip The Light (8-9) by 2l, 5 ran.
Trip The Light 2-1fav (8-9) Tracked leader, pushed along over 4f out, driven to dispute 2nd 2f out, one pace and no impression over 1f out, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Hawridge King (8-7) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fm.
Zuwaar 7-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, improved to go 2nd 4f out, ridden to lead just over 1f out, headed last strides, 2nd of 5, hd behind Act Of Kalanisi (8-9) at Chester 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Dramatic Solo 8-1 (9-1) Led, headed approaching final furlong, driven inside last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Master Nimbus (9-4) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fm.
