reared start, always towards rear
tracked leader, smooth headway to lead 4f out, soon clear, driven out 2f out and kept on
led, until headed 6f out, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten
held up towards rear, headway 5f out to track leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, lost place after 4f and behind, headway from over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no chance with winner
dwelt and behind, outpaced halfway, ridden and headway over 3f out, nearest finish
towards rear, reminder halfway, effort when hampered 6f out, ridden over 3f out, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out and soon weakened
tracked leaders, lost place from halfway and soon beaten
slowly into stride and soon mid-division, headway to lead 6f out, headed 4f out, soon ridden, beaten
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, one paced when hung right inside final furlong
Port d'Argent is not the most consistent of performers but should be capable of landing this weak affair, Gone Too Far and Time Marches On appear to be the main rivals. Mark Johnston's three-year-old put in his best performance of the season at Brighton last time, finishing fourth behind Best Before. That was only a seller but this is no better, and with this longer trip expected to suit he looks the best option here. Gone Too Far returns to the flat for the first time since winning an Ayr handicap last July. Fitness will not be a problem as he's been in good form over fences recently, he should be capable of making the frame. Time Marches On showed plenty of promise on his return to the flat at Catterick recently and this winning hurdler should be involved in the finish. Red Mountain has shown a modicum of ability in three runs this season and looks the pick of the others, but in a race that will not take too much winning Port d'Argent is the choice.
Gone Too Far 6-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, led after half way, ridden over 3f out, kept on well, won at Ayr 1m 7f hcp (F) gf in Jul beating Liberty Seeker (9-6) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Blackthorn 20-1 (10-3) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 23l behind Tedstale (11-5) at Chester 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (5) gf.
Time Marches On 17-2 (8-5) Tracked leaders, lost place over 3f out, 6th of 9, 5l behind Crathorne (9-8) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (5) frm.
Simlet 50-1 (9-2) Mid-division, progress over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 5th of 20, 7l behind Mercurious (9-2) at Catterick 2m hcp (F4) gd in Oct.
Red Mountain 5-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, ridden 4f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 12, 9l behind Make My Hay (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 6f stk (H5) pol in Jan.
Cadeaux Rouge (IRE) 16-1 (7-11) Always towards rear, 12th of 16, 20l behind Let It Be (9-3) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (6) frm.
Sandy Bay (IRE) 50-1 (7-10) Held up, ridden over 4f out, some headway from over 1f out, 7th of 14, 9l behind Platinum Charmer (7-10) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp (6) gf.
Port d'Argent (IRE) 9-2 (8-0) Led for 1f, hampered and lost place over 4f out, driven and brief effort 2f out, soon beaten, 4th of 8, 7l behind Best Before (9-4) at Brighton 1m 2f sll (6) frm.