awkward and stumbled slightly start, soon in touch, switched right 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, not clear run over 1f out, switched right entering final furlong, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
with leader, driven and every chance over 1f out, weakening when hampered inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, headway, squeezed through and bumped over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
dwelt, held up and always in rear
slight lead on rail, ridden 2f out, headed and weakened 1f out
in touch, headway to chase leaders on outside half way, weakened final 1f
chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on until headed well inside final furlong
SECRET VENUE could be the answer to this tricky handicap and he gets the vote over Blue Tomato and Requisite. Jedd O' Keeffe's 3-year-old only just does enough in his races so he has been hard for the handicapper to get a grip on. He lost no caste in defeat behind Brierty at York last week and a reproduction of that effort would give him a big chance here. Blue Tomato is a course and distance winner and he did score very comfortably at Hamilton last time when he beat the old campaigner Raccoon. That was in a seller though and he has more on his plate tonight. Requisite has been running well but she gives the impression that the handicapper may now be catching up with her. Wicked Wilma and Sandwith are others with course and distance form who merit consideration, but in a trappy handicap we will put forward Secret Venue as the pick.
Efistorm 8-1 (9-6) Prominent 3f, no danger after, 6th of 11, 6l behind Northern Dare (9-11) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-90 (3) sft.
Blue Tomato 11-4 (9-6) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Hamilton 5f sell stks (6) gd beating Raccoon (9-6) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Discanti (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Fol Hollow (9-13) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Sandwith 9-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 10l behind Bravely (8-12) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Requisite 9-1 (9-11) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Select Committee (8-11) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Killer Class 20-1 (8-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 11l behind Roker Park (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcap (4) sft in Nov.
Secret Venue 11-4 (8-11) Led to halfway, regained lead well over 1f out, headed close home, 2nd of 6, shd behind Brierty (9-7) at York 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Wicked Wilma (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 5th of 10, 1/2l behind Blessed Place (8-10) at Thirsk 5f app hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Miss Daawe 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden halfway, one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Hotham (9-4) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.