held up, never dangerous
tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
midfield, headway over 1f out, soon hung left, never on terms
made all, driven clear well over 2f out, stayed on strongly
slowly into stride, midfield, ridden halfway, never dangerous
behind, headway when over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on well, no chance with winner
midfield, weakened over 3f out
chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, faded final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon no impression
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace approaching final furlong
Art Scholar is 14lb lower than when he landed the November Handicap in 2012 but Mick Appleby's gelding was well held on his most recent start at Ayr and he remains best watched at present. Jim Goldie has a history of finding improvement from horses that have lost their way at other yards and TESTA ROSSA (NAP) could be up to winning this. A winner of a handicap at Ayr on his second start for his new handler, he is only 4lb higher today. Royal Straight hasn't got his head in front for a while, though he coped well with a step up in trip at Musselburgh. It's A Mans World is a solid performer over hurdles and, while he's been well beaten on his most recent forays onto the Flat, should be noted in the market. Madrasa has become much more consistent for the application of headgear and Keith Reveley's gelding is also entitled to go close.
Art Scholar (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on same pace approaching final furlong, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Awake My Soul (10-0) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) sft.
Love Marmalade (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace and never dangerous, 6th of 10, 7l behind Alex My Boy (9-1) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Ex Oriente (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 7l behind Emerahldz (8-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
A Star In My Eye (IRE) 7-2 (8-10) In touch in 4th, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on to take 3rd place towards finish, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Wilhana (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 4f fll hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gf in Jul.
Arthurs Secret 14-1 (9-5) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression, 6th of 16, 9l behind Saved By The Bell (10-1) at York 1m 4f app hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Cloud Monkey (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, under pressure over 4f out, soon no impression, 8th of 9, well behind Epsom Hill (9-1) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Madrasa (IRE) 3-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Sergeant Pink (8-12) at Newcastle 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
It's A Mans World 8-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, never going, always behind, 7th of 9, 16l behind Ingleby Symphony (10-0) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Royal Straight 5-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on and lost 2 places close home, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Titus Bolt (9-9) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Testa Rossa (IRE) 5-2fav (8-13) Chased leaders, lost place 7f out, headway over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Ingleby Symphony (9-9) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Chevalgris 40-1 (9-5) In rear, ridden 3f out, never nearer, 6th of 8, 19l behind Aramist (9-7) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
El Bravo 33-1 (9-3) Always towards rear and never a factor, tailed off, 10th of 12, 36l behind Barwick (9-4) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
