held up, driven over 2f out, never able to challenge
tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, always held
chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden and lost place, no danger after
switched right after 1f, held up behind, headway when not clear run and switched left well over 1f out, driven and kept on well final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, headway over 2f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, no extra final 75 yards
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
switched right soon after start, always behind
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, held on well final furlong
slowly into stride, switched right soon after start, always towards rear
Although Dream Express is in cracking form in this sort of contest and does not have much to find with likely market leader Wovoka, we will take a chance on bottom weight RICHO on his first attempt in a claimer. The selection is best off at the weights here compared to if this were a handicap, and even though he is taking on older horses we can be a little more confident about that at this time of year. The yard is in tremendous form, he handles the ground, and the trip is spot on, so we will side with him. Dream Express chases a hat-trick after winners in a seller and a claimer over six and seven furlongs. He does not have huge amounts to find on official ratings and he does handle some cut, although he has never won on ground slower than good. Wovoka is a grand old campaigner with eight wins to his name and a penchant for juice in the ground. He is better over a mile than this trip, but he may well have enough class to win and looks a serious danger. Ozone Trustee handles cut and has been well beaten over much further recently. There is no obvious reason why the drop back to 7f should be a positive and we will take him on. Hanoverian Baron could improve for the application of cheek pieces and the 5lb claim of Amy Ryan, but here we'll be hoping to get Richo.
Wovoka (IRE) 25-1 (8-6) Steadied start, held up in rear, not clearest of runs from over 2f out, made some headway final furlong, 11th of 17, 8l behind City Of The Kings (9-5) at York 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Moody Tunes 25-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, 10th of 16, 8l behind Sunnyside Tom (9-9) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
My Mate Mal 10-1 (9-4) Soon led, and set strong pace, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 14, 8l behind Assail (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Dream Express (IRE) 3-1 (9-5) Soon steadied, held up, raced keenly, progress halfway, not clear run over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Ayr 6f clm stks (6) gd beating Stellite (8-13) by nk, 8 ran.
Mr Lu 6-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 10, 23l behind Nufoudh (8-2) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
Ozone Trustee (NZ) 5-1 (9-8) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression, 7th of 12, 9l behind Lucayan Dancer (10-0) at Redcar 1m 2f clm stks (6) gf in Jun.
Sea Salt 10-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Paddy Bear (9-0) at Catterick 6f sell stks (6) gs.
No Grouse 14-1 (8-9) Carried right start, in touch, lost place over 5f out, not clear run and switched right 2f out, wide entering straight, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 6th of 14, 3l behind Many Welcomes (8-3) at Chester 1m app hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Resolute Defender (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Mid-division on outside, driven over 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f, 6th of 14, 8l behind Distant Pleasure (8-11) at Carlisle 7f hcap (6) gd in Aug.
Straight Face (IRE) 11-1 (9-9) In touch, rider tried to switch right to centre over 2f out, soon hung left back towards main group and beaten, 7th of 8, 11l behind Goodbye Cash (9-4) at Brighton 7f sell stks (6) gf.
Young Gladiator (IRE) 9-1 (8-5) Mid-division, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 9, 7l behind Bid For Gold (9-7) at Carlisle 6f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Richo 15-2 (9-6) Hampered start, always in rear, 8th of 9, 6l behind Athania (8-8) at Chester 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Hanoverian Baron 25-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, in rear, never dangerous, 11th of 14, 13l behind Luscivious (9-6) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
