in touch, headway halfway, soon chasing winner, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, shuffled back halfway, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, never nearer
prominent, driven and under pressure halfway, weakened 1f out
prominent, every chance over 2f out, weakened 1f out
led 1f, led again over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra
chased leaders, driven and headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden and stayed on gamely
prominent, led after 1f, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
behind and outpaced, switched left and headway halfway, soon ridden to challenge, weakened final furlong
in touch, effort over 2f out, never on terms
NOODLES BLUE BOY can repay backers who supported him at Pontefract last time out when aiming to follow up a course and distance win, and he gets our vote ahead of Dispol Grand and Residency. He was reported to have run a bit flat on that occasion, the only time in his last five outings he'd not been among the first three home. Normally he's the very definition of consistency, and although giving weight away all round, he's not conceding that much to the anticipated main dangers. Dispol Grand is the other course and distance winner in the field, having headed our selection by a neck in June in a similar contest. He's not great a great strike rate though, and they're a pound closer in the weights. He finished ahead of Piste last time out when a strong pace in a better race than this at York was too much for them, but the latter can usually be relied on to make the frame at this sort of level. Lucky Art and Musical Bridge avoid top weight with having claimers on board, and support for either could be significant. Residency is making his handicap debut; lightly raced, this is just his fifth outing, and last time out his runners up place was his best efort to date. A costly purtchase two years ago, connections will be expecting more from him soon. We don't fancy the chances of Arjemis or Blow Your Mind, but in an open contest we'll side with Noodles Blue Boy.
Noodles Blue Boy 9-4fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 4l behind Red Kyte (9-7) at Pontefract 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jul.
Lucky Art (USA) 11-1 (8-11) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Obe Gold (9-7) at Catterick 5f clm stks (6) sft in Jul.
Musical Bridge 11-2 (9-6) With disputed lead 1f, prominent, ridden over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Rocket Rob (9-1) at Epsom Downs 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Piste 12-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 6, 5l behind Brierty (9-7) at York 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Dispol Grand (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) With leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Brierty (9-7) at York 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Angelo Poliziano 11-4fav (9-7) Led at strong pace after 1f, switched left to race towards stands side halfway, hard ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Scrapper Smith (8-10) at Carlisle 5f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Residency (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Evna (8-5) at Southwell 5f mdn stks (5) fbs in Jul.
Blow Your Mind 33-1 (9-3) Chased leader, weakened entering final furlong, 9th of 10, 9l behind Optical Illusion (9-5) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Arjemis 150-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Ms Sophie Eleanor (8-12) at Thirsk 7f mdn stks (5) gd in Jul.
