led, headed 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
prominent, led halfway, soon ridden, headed and no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over halfway, soon not much room until over 1f out, one pace after
slowly into stride and always behind
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened and eased final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, headway to lead inside final furlong, kept on
slowly into stride and always towards rear
tracked leaders, ridden over halfway, weakened over 1f out
Frascati has been knocking at the door and can pay to support ahead of the likes of The Leather Wedge, Malapropism and Playful Dane in a close knit handicap on paper. In truth nothing appeals as a stand out bet, but Frascati has threatened to deliver on a number of occasions this season, and despite being drawn wide in stall 11, Alan Berry's five-year-old is given the vote. The daughter of Emarati has been runner-up on each of her last two outings at Hamilton and Chester, and continues to give the impression that it is only a matter of time before she returns to the winner's enclosure. She remains on a winning mark at present and any rain would increase her chances of gaining another course and distance victory. The Leather Wedge has also been successful here in the past and he gave a good account when trying to make all at Nottingham last weekend. He is sure to help force the pace and may hang on for a place at least. Malapropism has had another busy season, and although always likely to pop in when you least expect it, he has been hard to place. Playful Dane will surely struggle off this mark but he deserved to win at Carlisle and cannot be totally ruled out either, but Frascati is overdue a win and can come good today.
Handsome Cross (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Led against rail, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 15, 7l behind Sierra Vista (9-1) at Goodwood 5f hcp (3) sft in Jul.
Bonne de Fleur 15-2 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 7l behind Rancho Cucamonga (7-13) at Ayr 6f fll hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Malapropism 8-1 (8-6) Pressed leaders, chased winner halfway until hung left approaching final furlong and weakened, 5th of 14, 4l behind Cape Royal (8-9) at Sandown 5f hcp (2) sft.
Playful Dane (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 5f hcp (4) gf beating Harry Up (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Ptarmigan Ridge 33-1 (8-8) Chased leaders far side, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 23, 4 1/2l behind Ice Planet (8-7) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gs.
Highland Warrior 33-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, towards rear stands' side, never dangerous, 20th of 23, 18l behind Ice Planet (8-7) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gs.
Harry Up 25-1 (9-4) Chased winner over 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong to take 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Playful Dane (9-2) at Carlisle 5f hcp (4) gf.
Frascati 7-2fav (8-10) Prominent, ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Foley Millennium (9-2) at Chester 5f hcp (4) gf.
Smiddy Hill 33-1 (8-3) Took keen hold, led, headed over 1f out, quickly weakened, 13th of 14, 8l behind Folga (8-5) at York 5f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
The Leather Wedge (IRE) 2-1 (9-0) Led, soon hung left, ridden over 1f out, headed, no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Flur Na H Alba (9-0) at Nottingham 5f stk 0-70 (5) gd.
Grigorovitch (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Dwelt, took keen hold to hang left, settled towards rear after 1f, effort over 1f out no impression, 8th of 12, 6l behind Niteowl Lad (8-6) at Thirsk 5f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Champagne Cracker 4-1 (8-4) Bumped start and in touch, ridden over 2f out, chased winner from over 1f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Sahara Silk (7-11) at Hamilton 5f fll hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Alfie Lee (IRE) 20-1 (8-0) Prominent far side, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 15, 10l behind Best Lead (8-5) at Hamilton 5f hcp (6) gf.
Strensall 25-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 6l behind Foley Millennium (9-2) at Chester 5f hcp (4) gf.
