in touch, lost place over 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, faded final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching 1f out, challenged and kept on gamely
mid-division, lost place halfway
towards rear, headway on outside 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed approaching 1f out, weakened
tracked leaders, pressed winner final furlong, every chance, outbattled near finish
tracked leaders, one pace from over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, weakened over 2f out
A contest with limited appeal, but there has to be a winner, and we'll side with WHAT KATIE DID in preference to Hucking Harness and Meridian Line. The selection has been a regular winner on the all-weather previously, but let down backers this year compared to last. It seems to be a case of galvanising the form that we know he's been capable of. He's the only course and distance winner in the field, and has an advantageous high draw. Hucking Harness disappointed last time out, but something may have been wrong. Previously a winner of a Yarmouth handicap, he should have the measure of many of these. First time blinkers can help. Meridian Line was a winner on her penultimate run, but has dropped down from a rating of 83 last year to this kind of level. Again, we know she's capable but is now rarely showing it. It's not a race to get overly excited about, but we hoping to be regaling everyone later with tales of, What Katie Did.
Hucking Harkness 15-2 (8-3) Led for 1f, chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 32l behind Granary (9-1) at Folkestone 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
What Katie Did (IRE) 5-1 (8-1) Led, ridden well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Doubtful Sound (9-2) at W'hampton 6f clm (6) pol.
Connor's Choice 8-1 (9-2) Soon led, headed over 2f out, hung left and lost place over 1f out, 9th of 12, 9l behind Scruffy Skip (9-0) at Great Leighs 6f hcp (6) pol.
Johnny McGurk 50-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden when switched right just over 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 7l behind Tangerine Trees (9-3) at W'hampton 6f 3yo mdn aut (6) pol.
Meridian Line (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 13, 16l behind Hurricane Harriet (9-2) at Leicester 6f fll hcp (5) sft.
Usetheforce (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Raced keenly, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 11th of 17, 11l behind Singleb (9-3) at Leicester 7f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gd.
Blue Zenith (IRE) 11-1 (8-7) Always in rear, 11th of 12, 7l behind Geoffdaw (9-8) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Sept.
Celtic Spring (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Raced far side, prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong., 6th of 12, 8l behind dhtrs Bye Baby Bunting (8-4) & Hawk Eyed Lady (9-1) at Folkestone 6f 3yo hcp (6) gs in Aug.
Green Velvet 6-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 11, 10l behind Wreningham (9-3) at Great Leighs 5f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Sept.
Hennalaine (IRE) 13-2 (8-2) Reluctant to go to post, bumped, awkward, went right start, lost many lengths, switched left soon after, well in rear, headway over 1f out, plugged on one pace inside final, 6th of 10, 5l behind Who's Winning (9-4) at Folkestone 6f clm (6).
Tea Cake (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Always in rear, 10th of 11, 10l behind Enodoc (9-2) at Great Leighs 5f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Yxes (IRE) 7th of 5, more than 3 1/2l behind Gran Yago at Mijas 6f stk in Mar.
