slowly away, came wide into straight, always behind
took keen hold, raced wide in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
chased leaders, switched left over 2f out, soon challenging, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, driven out
chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, soon not quicken, one pace after
mid-division on inside, pushed along 3f out, hard driven and effort on inside over 1f out, no extra final 1f
pulled hard, hampered on rail over 6f out, towards rear, brief effort on inside over 2f out, weakened final 1f
held up towards rear, headway on wide outside over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden and outpace 2f out, beaten after
switched right start, held up well in rear, headway on rails over 1f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong, finished well to take 3rd near finish
pulled hard early in mid-division, weakened inside final 3f
took keen hold, soon chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened inside final 3f
soon led, strongly pressed 2f out, soon ridden, headed just inside final furlong, soon one pace and no impression
Nonrunner
Although backing horses first time in handicaps can be the quickest way to the poor house, we are going to side with INTOLERABLE to give weight away all around, with Pressing Matters a major player. Ralph Beckett's Intolerable was impressive when winning a 6f Lingfield maiden last time under Seb Sanders. Claimer Richard Felton gets the leg up tonight, but rather than worrying about changes of pilot, let's look at the form of the gelding. He has already performed with credit at Nottingham prior to that and should be suited by this step up in trip, while the runner-up in his Lingfield win has won since, so there are reasons to believe that he can do the business in this sphere. Pressing Matters has won two of his six starts, both over 7f, and he has gone up 3lbs for the most recent. The step back up in trip should not be a problem for him and first-time blinkers could also be a boon. Sir Mark Prescott has farmed handicaps for longer than many of us are able to remember and he saddles the filly Florentia in this sphere for the first time. As you would expect, Seb Sanders takes the mount, and while this trip looks a positive and she has a low enough mark, her ability to act on this surface is open to question. Peter's Gift needs to improve on what we have seen from his last couple of starts and contrary to pedigree, may not get beyond 7f. Foxtrot Alpha finished behind Russian Rave here last time and we will have a clue as to how strong that form is by now from her conqueror's run earlier on the card. On the face of it she would have to be respected, while Woolston Ferry should be capable in handicaps from this mark. However, Intolerable caught the eye last time and is taken to go in again.
Intolerable (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Made all, ridden when challenged 1f out, kept on, won at Lingfield 6f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun beating George Thisby (8-11) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Pressing Matters (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, effort and hung left entering final furlong, driven to lead final strides (hand timed), won at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Registrar (8-11) by nk, 9 ran.
Arachnophobia (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Never dangerous, 8th of 11, 10l behind Mac's Power (8-5) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun.
Woolston Ferry (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, held when clear run approaching final furlong, 10th of 13, 14l behind Carlitos Spirit (9-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Peter's Gift (IRE) 5-2 (9-4) Led over 1f, pressed leader, led 2f out, soon edged left, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 4, 13l behind Island Sunset (9-5) at Haydock 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Foxtrot Alpha (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Led 1f, chased leader, led over 1f out, ridden, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Russian Rave (9-3) at Kempton 7f fll hcp (5) pol in Jun.
Grand Honour (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 8, 6l behind Bel Cantor (9-7) at Kempton 6f (5) pol.
The Desert Saint 12-1 (9-4) Mostly in mid-division, 10th of 15, 18l behind Maswerte (9-7) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Kiss A Prince 20-1 (9-2) Soon outpaced, 13th of 14, 17l behind Silent Hero (9-6) at Southwell 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jun.
Florentia 11-4 (8-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, never near leaders, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Especially Special (8-12) at Great Leighs 5f 2yo mdn stks (4) pol in Sep.
Zim Ho 14-1 (9-2) In touch, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened, 16th of 18, 29l behind Cheap Thrills (9-5) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
King's Sabre 33-1 (9-5) Led, headed over 2f out, soon beaten, 11th of 13, 18l behind Legal Legacy (8-13) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Charging Indian (IRE) 11-1 (9-6) Bumped start, towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 10, 5l behind Ben's Dream (8-5) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Lakeman (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden and effort 2f out to over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 7l behind Olympic Dream (8-12) at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.