broke well, raced keenly, soon in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace
behind, headway over 1f out, never on terms
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, hard ridden approaching final furlong, ran on, never nearer
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon no impression
prominent, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, soon hard ridden, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, never a factor
held up towards rear, strong headway over 1f out, soon hard driven, stayed on strongly to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
held up in rear, never dangerous
held up towards rear, hard driven over 3f out, soon beaten
led, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, under pressure over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
In a horror handicap to sort out we marginally prefer the chances of JOIN UP over Binnion Bay and Machinate. The pick only found an extremely well treated and fancied newcomer from the George Baker yard too good last time and in time that form will look useful for this level. Previous to that he was unlucky to bump into another well treated one from the same yard. He races off the same mark as those two efforts and with nothing like that pair in this line-up he has an opportunity to get in front. Binnion Bay is the only last time out winner in this line-up but having just held on that day the extra weight on his back and the extra yardage to travel look against him this time. Machinate's win in an apprentice handicap two starts back promised more to come so despite only a solid un last time he could go well again in a weak race. Turkish Sultan has looked back to form in both of his last starts and after a really narrow defeat on his last run he has a chance off the same rating but in a really tricky puzzle Join Up looks like the missing piece.
Gold Rock (FR) 40-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened soon after, 9th of 13, 12l behind Agilete (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar '09.
Binnion Bay (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, held up mid-division and keen, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, just held on, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb beating Wavertree Warrior (9-4) by hd, 9 ran.
Join Up 4-1 (8-8) Prominent, chased winner over 2f out, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Sworn Tigress (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Machinate (USA) 12-1 (8-10) Mid-division, lost place 4f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 3l behind Well Of Echoes (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp (0-58) (6) pol.
Turkish Sultan (IRE) 18-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Querido (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (7) pol.
Prince Valentine 16-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, soon pressing leader, ridden 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Binnion Bay (8-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Dynamo Dave (USA) 20-1 (7-12) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 4th of 12, 1l behind Bollywood Style (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Athboy Auction 50-1 (8-7) Squeezed start, slowly into stride, always in rear, 11th of 13, 8l behind Copperwood (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Ardent Prince 12-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, driven and one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Orangeleg (8-11) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Dec.
Baba Ghanoush 20-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 20l behind Join Up (8-13) at Lingfield 1m app hcp 0-55 (6) pol in Dec.
Iron Man of Mersey (FR) 50-1 (8-4) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, ridden and no progress over 2f out, 10th of 11, 7l behind Dichoh (9-5) at Salisbury 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sep.
Easy Wonder (GER) 40-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 9, well behind Sworn Tigress (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
