mid-division, weakened over 1f out
led 1f, with leader, one pace entering final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon every chance until held near finish
pushed along towards rear, never dangerous
held up, one pace from over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish
in rear, ridden 1f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, left after 1f, ridden and under pressure over 1f out, just held on
The dead eight rock up for this competitive handicap and the three-year-old SECRET VENUE gets the call ahead of Racoon who can reverse recent form with top-weight Argentine. The pick is on the hunt for a course and distance hat-trick after back to back neck successes. He is four pounds higher here but only seems to do enough in front and is the type to stay ahead of the assessor. Racoon is more exposed but has a decent strike rate here too and only found the re-opposing Argentine too good last time at Hamilton. He is weighted to take his revenge. That was Argentine's fifth success in 19 starts over the minimum strip but his penalty means he has 10st 4lb to carry here. Buy On Red can be a bit hit and miss but was trying to double up when unseating his rider near the start last time and is still competitively weighted on the pick of his form. This is a decent little contest where Secret Venue should find himself in front again.
Argentine (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun beating Raccoon (9-11) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Raccoon (IRE) 15-2 (9-11) Led, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Argentine (9-12) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Sandwith 11-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 7l behind Blue Tomato (9-5) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 105 (3) gd in Jun.
Buy On The Red 12-1 (9-3) Stumbled soon after start and unseated rider, in a race won by Bid For Gold (9-7) at Carlisle 6f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd, 9 ran.
Blown It (USA) 4-1 (9-5) Dwelt, held up, headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Grissom (8-6) at Ayr 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Hotham 25-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden halfway, no impression, 8th of 14, 9l behind Mark Of Meydan (9-2) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jun.
Blazing Heights 8-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 5th of 7, 4l behind Rocketball (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f app hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Secret Venue 7-4fav (9-5) Made all, ridden and hard pressed over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, just held on, won at Musselburgh 5f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun beating Igoyougo (8-13) by hd, 8 ran.