tracked leader, led 3rd, made rest, ridden out
in touch, headway 3 out, effort 2 out, weakened last
tracked leaders to halfway, soon behind
towards rear, hit 5th, never dangerous
in touch, headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner between last 2 until no extra towards finish
in touch, headway halfway, every chance 3 out, outpaced after next
led to 3rd, outpaced 3 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to chase winner towards finish
Calculaite was good value for his win at Sedgefield at the beginning of the month and Martin Todhunter's gelding has every chance of following up that success but it is hard to get away from ACAMBO, who gets the vote with the main danger rated as Pontop. George Charlton's gelding has run well in defeat in his last two starts, latterly when chasing home More Equity in a handicap here earlier this month and he has place claims at least. Evelyn Slack's Woody Valentine has been running creditably in defeat in his last two starts having won three races in succession and he has to be considered. Gordon Elliott's Wikaala has lost no caste in defeat in his last two starts at Perth and he is another worthy of a mention but it is Acambo that gets the verdict. David Pipe's gelding showed improved form when successful at Stratford last week and a reproduction of the form shown that day should suffice for the eight-year-old.
Acambo (GER) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, in command after, doing enough flat, won at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd beating Know The Law (10-11) by 2l, 8 ran.
Wikaala (USA) 10-11fav (10-9) Raced keenly in touch, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, ridden and one pace lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 15, 8l behind The Ginger Man (10-9) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in May.
Bohemian Spirit (IRE) 22-1 (11-8) Always well behind, last of 10, well behind Corkage (11-11) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Calculaite 10-1 (11-10) Held up, driven and headway after 3 out, ridden to lead before last, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf beating For A Dancer (10-13) by 7l, 9 ran.
Hello Nod 28-1 (10-12) Mid-division, effort to chase leaders 2 out, kept on one pace approaching last, no impression, 5th of 10, 16l behind Schelm (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m nov stks (4) gf.
Pontop (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Raced keen, tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, clear approaching last, hung badly left and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 11, 2 3/4l behind More Equity (10-4) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Woody Valentine (USA) 7-2fav (10-9) Held up in rear, hampered 5th, jumped big 7th, headway 3 out, outpaced 2 out, switched left before last, stayed on flat without troubling front pair, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Nelson's Spice (11-11) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
