in touch, pushed along over 4f out, soon beaten
raced keen in touch, headway to lead halfway, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed towards finish, no extra
towards rear, headway under pressure 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace, finished 3rd, disqualified
tracked leaders, headway to challenge 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, finished 5th, promoted to 4th
dwelt, towards rear, never dangerous
led, headed halfway, weakened 4f out
in touch, headway and effort over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead near finish
Nonrunner
This tricky handicap could fall to Fixateur, with Madiba and Rocknest Island two of the main rivals. The selection hails from the in form yard of James Given and although at first glance the form is not that hot, he does provide an interesting profile. His return to the flat at Southwell last time was nothing special but it was his first run for James and he has now been dropped five pounds. He has had a busy enough campaign over the jumps and shown a glimmer of ability. His form on the flat in France was excellent and his shrewd trainer is capable of bringing out the best in him. Madiba comes into the argument on a recent second at Folkestone, although the winner has disappointed since. Rocknest Island was a smart winner at Wolverhampton last month and didn't do too badly on a return to turf last time. Meanwhile Let It Be has put in a couple of good efforts this season and is weighted to go close again. However we will take a chance here with Fixateur, who could be on a very decent mark.
Fixateur 16-1 (9-4) Led 1f, tracked leaders after, driven and lost place over 6f out, 7th of 8, 20l behind William's Way (9-1) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Apr.
Let It Be 11-1 (8-2) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 6l behind Sudden Impulse (8-11) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Toparudi 18-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 24l behind Torrens (9-0) at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Onyergo (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 5l behind Escayola (9-9) at Musselburgh 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Nov.
Madiba 9-2 (8-5) Close up, ridden and effort on inside approaching 1f out, unable to quicken near finish, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Himba (8-7) at Folkestone 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Toni Alcala 8-1 (8-3) In touch, ridden over 3f out, headway and every chance over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 4l behind Kristensen (9-8) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Aston Lad 4-1 (8-9) Held up, headway over 3f out, led over 2f, driven and kept on gamely final furlong, won at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct beating Thewhirlingdervish (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Scarrabus (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Prominent, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 5, 30l behind Secret Ploy (9-8) at Thirsk 1m 4f mdn stk (5) frm.
Rocknest Island (IRE) 11-2 (8-7) Soon chasing leaders, outpaced over 3f out, kept on well final furlong, 5th of 13, 1l behind Vice Admiral (8-10) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Mulligan's Pride (IRE) 13-2 (8-10) Started slowly and towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 7th of 13, 2l behind Vice Admiral (8-10) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
