in touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along and outpaced, never dangerous
in touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on towards finish, just held for 2nd near finish
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final 100 yards
led, ridden 1f out, soon headed, edged right inside final furlong, just held on for 2nd place near finish
tracked leader, led entering final furlong, soon ridden, kept on well
A visor may help STOLT regain winning ways but the in-form Ingleby Star and the evergreen Raccoon may well give him something to think about. The selection is the pick at the weights if the official ratings still hold any water and there must be some doubt on his recent form as to whether he's still capable of running up to a turf mark of 82. However, he's more than capable on his day and the drop to this level combined with the application of headgear may well do the trick. Raccoon is a speedy front runner at his best who proved that he retains his ability when third behind Desperate Dan on his reappearance. He's entitled to improve for that but it could be dangerous to assume that he will given that he was straight enough to score at the first time of asking last season. Ingleby Star gives Noel Wilson a strong hand in the race and he drops in grade despite having landed a handicap at Hamilton last time out; he has track form to his name and is in better form than his stablemate but we're still prepared to take a chance with Stolt.
Ingleby Star (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Made most, ridden and joined 1f out, driven and edged right inside final furlong, just held on, won at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating Milton Of Campsie (9-5) by hd, 9 ran.
Caribbean Coral 9-1 (8-10) With leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 23l behind Sometsuke (9-2) at Bath 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fm.
Fern House (IRE) 20-1 (8-3) Ridden and behind halfway, 7th of 14, 13l behind Spirit of Coniston (8-11) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Oct.
Mandarin Spirit (IRE) 10-3fav (9-4) Bumped and lost place soon after start, behind, driven and headway over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong, just held, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Chosen One (9-2) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Raccoon (IRE) 2-1fav (9-7) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Desperate Dan (9-7) at Redcar 5f sell stks (6) gf.
Stolt (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Chased winner, ridden and lost place over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 6l behind Sirenuse (8-12) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
The Bear 9-2 (8-6) With leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 6l behind Ingleby Star (9-2) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Princess Charlmane (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) In touch, lost place 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 16l behind Chosen One (9-2) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
