led 1f, tracked leader, led again 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well comfortably
dwelt, always in rear
hampered start, behind, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, never on terms
mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on under pressure, 3rd over 1f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
went left start, led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner
mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never on terms
The trio that stand out at these weights are Gone Hunting, Superduper and WHISKEY JUNCTION and the last-named is given the nod. Mick Quinn's course and distance scorer has a bit to find at the weights with Gone Hunting, but he is in much better form having taken a Bath handicap last time, when he showed that he gets on well with Seb Sanders. This trip is ideal and he should give a very good account of himself. Superduper won a couple of handicaps over this distance in 2008 but he has been suffering in handicaps just lately and will find this a fair bit easier now, so is respected. Gone Hunting will be much happier for the return to a claimer, a level at which he won in January. He has been out of sorts lately, but if he retains anything like the ability that his mark suggests then he is not one to scrub out here and the market will be a good guide. Hatman Jack won a minor handicap at Lingfield last time and tries claiming company for the first time here. He need to improve again to follow up, but he looks best of the remainder. Whiskey Junction is the suggestion here.
Whiskey Junction 6-1 (9-9) Made all, brought field towards stands side over 2f out, soon ridden, edged right over 1f out, driven out, won at Bath 6f hcp 0-80 (4) fm in Jul beating Forest Dane (8-9) by 1l, 7 ran.
Mr Forthright 28-1 (8-13) Steadied start, held up, pushed along halfway, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 21l behind Swinbrook (8-9) at Bath 6f clm stks (6) gd.
Umpa Loompa (IRE) 40-1 (8-7) Hampered start, soon outpaced and behind, 13th of 14, 37l behind Just Spike (8-7) at Leicester 6f hcap (5) gf in Jul '08.
Superduper 12-1 (9-8) Off the pace in mid-division, driven 2f out, keeping on one pace when hampered on far rail approaching final furlong, 8th of 10, 7l behind Blue Jack (9-9) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Cheetah Beetah 50-1 (7-11) In touch, under pressure well over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 7, 32l behind Carbon Hoofprint (9-7) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Freepressionist 8-1 (9-2) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 5l behind Hatman Jack (9-0) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Monte Mayor Eagle 14-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 9l behind Stand In Flames (8-11) at Leicester 7f 3yo & 4yo sll (5) hvy.
Ridgeway Silver 66-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out, 12th of 14, 16l behind Desert Streak (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Gone Hunting 100-1 (8-7) Slowly away, reluctant to race, soon well behind, last of 20, 47l behind Swiss Diva (9-1) at York 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun.
Hatman Jack (IRE) 18-1 (9-0) Made virtually all, ridden and ran on final furlong, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Towy Boy (9-4) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.