held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 4f out, ridden, hung left and weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led over 4f out, clear 2f out, ridden out
close up, chased winner 4f out, until 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, never trouble leaders
tracked leaders, outpaced 4f out, ridden and headway 2f out, driven and stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong
in rear, pushed along 6f out, ridden and weakened over 3f out
High Hope gets a tentative vote over Montosari, Iamback and Akritas in what is a moderate claimer. Gary Moore continues to churn out the winners lately, and should go close here with High Hope whose last win on the level was here four years ago. His only subsequent success for the stable came over jumps at Fontwell in April, but at least that showed that he still has what it takes. Since then he has only been seen out twice, and went very close on the latest occasion when beaten just a head by Zalkani. He had Iamback a length behind in third that day, and on these terms he should maintain the form, with the step to two miles not a problem. Montosari also gets the trip, as he showed when landing a class 5 handicap over the track-and-trip in April. He ran as though something was amiss when trailing home in last place at Kempton on his last outing two months ago and can give a better showing here. Akritas has to give weight away all round, but this five-year-old, who has taken on much better company in the past, should not be discounted. High Hope has leading claims though and is the one to beat.
Akritas 9-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, led 7f out, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, eased 1f out, last of 11, 30l behind Richtee (10-5) at York 1m 4f amt hcp (4) gf.
Lefonic 14-1 (8-7) Stumbled start, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 12l behind Key Time (8-7) at Redcar 2m hcap (5) frm.
Montosari 11-2jt-fav (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden 5f out, soon lost place, virtually pulled up final 2f, tailed off, last of 12, well behind Linden Lime (8-7) at Kempton 2m hcap (5) pol in May.
All Square (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed 4f out, weakened quickly from 2f out, 9th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Opera Knight (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol in May.
Devonia Plains (IRE) 66-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 9, 5l behind Ballybeg (8-9) at Windsor 1m 4f clm (5) gf.
High Hope (FR) 5-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed near finish, 2nd of 10, hd behind Zalkani (9-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (5) pol.
Mr Dip 12-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 4f out, led 3f out, headed and no extra over 1f out, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Bulberry Hill (9-0) at Southwell 1m 4f banded stk (7) fbs in Dec.
Iamback 11-1 (8-11) Always prominent, pushed along from 5f out, ridden over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Zalkani (9-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (5) pol.
