led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon one pace
steadied start and held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, smooth headway from over 2f out, soon ridden and led over 1f out, challenged entering final furlong, kept on
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway and every chance entering final furlong, one pace inside final furlong
MOOTED ran well in defeat last time and a repeat of that Ripon run should be enough to seal victory; Solas Alainn is most feared. A son of Mtoto, the selection seemed to show improved form earlier this month on his first try at a mile and a half. Julie Camacho's runner only has one win to his name but he is now 15lb lower than his opening mark in handicaps back in May 2008 and this looks a weak, and therefore winnable, race. Irish raider Ptolomeos has not shown enough in recent outings over in Ireland to be too interesting, but he wouldn't be the first horse to show improved form across the Irish Sea. Top-weight Solas Alainn drops in class today; he was outclassed at Hamilton latest but his previous fourth to Herrera at Beverley reads well and if he doesn't get taped for toe then this strong stayer looks a big contender. Piper's Song needs to improve, Papa's Princess ran well in defeat at Ayr last time, whilst Paul Mulrennan looks a good jockey booking for Thorny Mandate who looks dangerously well-handicapped. This looks a tricky contest but we will side with Mooted.
Solas Alainn (IRE) 10-1 (8-6) Held up in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 13l behind Record Breaker (9-10) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (2) gf.
Piper's Song (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden and beaten over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 12, 9l behind Toshi (9-7) at Chester 1m 4f (5) gf.
Ptolomeos 50-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching straight, soon lost place and no impression, 9th of 14, 16l behind Timoca (8-12) at Dundalk 1m 3f 4yo stk pol in May.
Mooted (UAE) 7-1 (8-7) Prominent, ridden to challenge and every chance 2f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Summer Lodge (8-6) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Papa's Princess 11-2 (8-7) Slowly into stride, behind, headway 2f out, one pace, 6th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Ibrox (9-7) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Thorny Mandate 8-1 (8-5) In rear, outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Norman The Great (9-9) at Newmarket 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.