behind, under pressure halfway, never dangerous
mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, no chance with winner
chased leaders, led over 2f out, ridden clear entering final furlong, well in command
reared start, held up towards rear, never dangerous
held up in touch, chased leaders over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
soon chasing leader, lost place after 2f, soon behind, tailed off
led, headed over 2f out, soon one pace
soon ridden and behind, some late headway, never nearer
soon outpaced, always behind, tailed off
mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon chasing winner, stayed on same pace
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
SPEED DATING heads our shortlist, which also includes Zaplamation and Wiseman's Diamond. Sir Mark Prescott's colt is his only runner on the card, and carries joint top weight with a six pound penalty for winning at Carlisle recently. Rosie Jessop's on board, and she's having a good season. The draw's a negative, but he'll be doing most of his best work late on. He's got a host of entries for the next few days, so it'll be interesting which race(s) he goes in. Zaplamation is a decent alternative suggestion. Also a winner last time out, he's the only one to claim course and distance success. He comes back here without a penalty as it was a similar sort of race and a great debut success for John Quinn, who sticks with apprentice Ian Brennan. Wiseman's Diamond hasn't won for nearly 18 months, and has been a little frustrating, with a couple of third placings being followed by a trio of runners up spots. Sooner or later we expect him to get his head in front where it matters. We could spend a couple of minutes considering the claims of all of these, but we'd still come down on the side of Speed Dating.
Darfour 10-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, slipped on bend over 3f out, rider lost irons, not recover, 5th of 12, 29l behind Whaston (8-10) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Zaplamation (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway to lead 2f out, drew clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Newcastle 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Jul beating Josephine Malines (9-4) by 7l, 9 ran.
Wiseman's Diamond (USA) 7-1 (9-1) Pressed leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed just over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 17, 3/4l behind Ninth House (9-6) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jul.
Dolly No Hair 28-1 (8-9) Took keen hold to lead, headed halfway, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 19l behind King Pin (8-11) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Benitez Bond 25-1 (8-11) Pulled hard, soon pressing leader, every chance over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Appelouse (9-6) at Southwell 1m app hcp 0-55 (6) fbs in Jul.
Resolute Defender (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Switched right soon after start, always behind, last of 12, 38l behind Young Gladiator (8-9) at Newcastle 7f clm stks (6) gs in Jul.
Byron Bay 8-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Zaplamation (8-10) at Newcastle 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Jul.
Carragold 18-1 (8-10) Behind and outpaced, took poor 3rd inside last, never dangerous, 3rd of 6, 18l behind Aqwaas (8-12) at Beverley 7f 3yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jun.
Lunar Storm (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Dwelt, behind, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 38l behind Mystified (9-0) at Redcar 1m 6f 4-6yo app sell stks (6) gf in Jun.
Georgie Bee 5-1 (8-12) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 4th of 8, 5l behind Hel's Angel (9-9) at Pontefract 1m fll hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Speed Dating 11-10fav (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, led 1f out, ridden out, won at Carlisle 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul beating Hypnotic Gaze (8-12) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Riverside 40-1 (9-2) Raced alone towards stand side, ridden, lost place over 3f out, soon behind, 16th of 19, 42l behind Charlevoix (9-1) at Redcar 1m 3yo hcp (6) gf in May '08.
Aquarian Dancer 28-1 (7-13) In touch, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 16l behind Phantom Serenade (8-9) at Hamilton 1m 1f app hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jul.