tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead narrowly inside final furlong, just held on
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, out paced 2f out, ridden and no impression from over 1f out
held up, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, just failed
raced alone far side, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
slowly intro stride, early reminders, behind, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
Not a race to get heavily involved in and GREEK SECRET is the suggestion to outpoint Elkhorn and Dark Moment. The six-year-old has course and distance winning form to his name and acts well on today's ground. True, he has crept up to a high enough mark for him, but he did win from 2lbs lower at Beverley a couple of starts back and he ran a stinker last time, so that effort is probably best forgotten. He retains plenty of speed in context and we will take him to come good once more. Elkhorn has proved very difficult to win with and his losing run stretches way back to June 2007. His slide in the handicap has been a long drawn out affair but he finally went close at Redcar last time and from the same mark here he has to be short listed. Dark Moment will try to concede weight all around and although no forlorn hope after a win last time, the drop back in trip is surely a concern to would-be supporters. Bright Falcon won an egg-and-spoon race at Ripon but at least proved that this trip is spot on and he might be up to nicking some more prize money in this mediocre affair. Ryedane looks to be held by the assessor and the same applies to Poppy's Rose who is a victim of consistency, so Greek Secret gets the vote.
Dark Moment 9-2 (9-3) Held up mid-division, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gd beating Ms Sophie Eleanor (9-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ryedane (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Held up, headway over 1f out, kept on, no impression, 5th of 12, 6l behind Redwater River (8-1) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Ace of Spies (IRE) 5-1 (8-10) Led, driven when headed over 1f out, soon beaten, 10th of 11, 18l behind Kabis Amigos (9-1) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fm in Jun.
Greek Secret 12-1 (9-0) Soon steadied into mid-division, pushed along and lost place 3f out, behind after, 14th of 18, 11l behind Just Sam (9-0) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jul.
Lujiana 20-1 (9-3) With leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 14l behind Downhill Skier (9-7) at Thirsk 6f all hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Elkhorn 9-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner well inside final furlong, 2nd of 18, 3/4l behind Just Sam (9-3) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Averoo 33-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, in rear, switched left halfway, never near leaders, 9th of 10, 11l behind Tyfos (10-0) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Bright Falcon 14-1 (9-2) Dwelt and jumped left at start, held up towards rear, switched right and headway over 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Ripon 6f app sell stks (6) gd in Jun beating Gioacchino (9-12) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Cheery Cat (USA) 6-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, kept on final 2f, 5th of 10, 4l behind Nufoudh (8-2) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Jul.
Fulford 50-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden over 3f out, 9th of 11, 18l behind Royal Premium (8-4) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-70 (5) hvy in Jul.
Prospect Court 28-1 (9-1) Mid-division, driven and effort over 3f out, soon no impression, 9th of 12, 12l behind Timber Treasure (9-3) at Carlisle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Poppy's Rose 4-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, not clear run and switched left inside final furlong, stayed on, 4th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Rafta (9-3) at Thirsk 6f fll hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Distant Vision (IRE) 18-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, behind until ridden and kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 8th of 18, 6l behind Just Sam (9-3) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.