A wide open handicap closes out matters and marginal preference is made for PITBULL ahead of Natural Rhythm and Tom Tower. The selection has been creeping closer and closer to getting in front as his rating has come down and he was only just collared late on when racing off this mark last time. He may have kept his advantage had he not edged left that day and if reproducing that run he should go one better. Natural Rhythm took advantage of a basement rating last time to score in a weak race at Beverley. The six pounds penalty added to his back for that run looks prohibitive but if that performance has got his tail up he may go close. Tom Tower is on top form at the moment and easily held the selection on his latest success. The weights favour a reversal of that result but in this mood you rule him out at your peril. Montiboli ran well in defeat off this mark last time and should go better back up in trip but Pitbull seems to be the one they have to collar.
Tom Tower (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Made virtually all, ridden over 1f out, ran on well, won at Haydock 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft beating Tanforan (9-1) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Montiboli (IRE) 5-2fav (9-2) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 1 3/4l behind Timber Treasure (9-3) at Carlisle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Tamasou (IRE) 17-2 (9-7) Led early, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Whaston (8-10) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Tres Froide (FR) 66-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, ridden along over 3f out, some late headway, never troubled leaders, 6th of 9, 10l behind Bold Cross (9-3) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Tanforan 10-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, raced keenly, headway over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Tom Tower (9-4) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Feeling Fresh (IRE) 3-1 (9-5) Dwelt, held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, stayed on strongly to lead well inside final furlong, won at Hamilton 6f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf beating Magical Song (9-2) by shd, 10 ran.
Pitbull 11-2 (9-1) In rear, took closer order halfway, headway on outer from over 2f out, ridden, edged left and led entering final furlong, driven and headed near finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Castlebury (9-5) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Natural Rhythm (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Made all, ridden final furlong, driven out, won at Beverley 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating Island Music (9-4) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Fulford 40-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 19, 7l behind Capone (8-13) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Kool Katie 25-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 26l behind Provost (9-6) at Ayr 7f hcap (6) hvy in Oct.
Royal Premium 4-1 (8-5) With winner, challenged over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 5, 8l behind Rising Kheleyf (9-7) at Carlisle 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Cherry Belle (IRE) 28-1 (8-9) Mid-division, pushed along and headway over 4f out, weakened entering final furlong, 8th of 10, 16l behind Jeronimo Joe (8-13) at Warwick 1m 3f 3yo sll (6) gd.
Ela Gorrie Mou 100-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, staying on when not clear run inside final furlong, switched right and kept on, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Bomber Brown (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m 1f mdn auc stks (6) gs.
