with leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon led, headed inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, always held
very slowly away, well in rear and pushed along, eased over 1f out
close up, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders in 4th, headway and switched right over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, held on well
Nonrunner
Raccoon has a great record here and is not out of this if blinkers spark a revival but his yard could be in better form and he is the lowest rated runner in the line-up. There's little to choose between Mandarin Spirit and ARRIVA LA DIVA in their course and distance running in a handicap at the start of last month whilst Distant Sun and Atlantic Beach finished together over six furlongs at Hamilton last time; the latter is weighted to gain the upper hand but may require a stiffer test at this trip. Mercers Row has been given a break since disappointing in a Catterick handicap and can't be ruled out but the tentative suggestion is John Quinn's filly with the booking of Paul Hanagan a positive.
Atlantic Beach 12-1 (9-10) In touch, ridden and weakened 1f out, 9th of 12, 7l behind Legal Eagle (9-2) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
Mandarin Spirit (IRE) 11-4 (10-1) Reared start, rider unable to remove blind, badly left, virtually took no part, last of 7, 48l behind Cayman Fox (8-10) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Mercers Row 12-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, chased leaders, ridden and weakened final furlong, last of 4, 10l behind Perfect Blossom (8-11) at Catterick 5f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Raccoon (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 8th of 14, 5l behind Red River Boy (8-7) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug.
Arriva La Diva 11-2 (9-5) Held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 10, 5l behind Mayoman (9-7) at Thirsk 5f all hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Distant Sun (USA) 40-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 6l behind Legal Eagle (9-2) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.