chased leaders stands side group, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up far side group, stayed on from over 1f out
tracked leaders far side group, kept on final furlong
in touch stands side group, weakened over 2f out
behind stands side group, ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased leaders stands side group, weakened well over 1f out
dwelt, held up stands side group, effort over 2f out, no impression
raced stands side group mid-division, stayed on from over 1f out, no impression
led far side group and overall leader, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on and headed by stands side leader near finish
made all stands side group, ridden and hung badly left from over 1f out, stayed on to lead farside leader near finish
held up far side group, weakened 2f out
held up far side group, weakened over 2f out, soon eased
chased leader stands side group, outpaced from well over 1f out
tracked leaders far side group, weakned over 2f out
tracked leaders far side group, kept on final 2f
slowly into stride, held up stands side group, one pace from over 2f out
This is another poor race in terms of quality and what can only be a tentative choice goes to ACE OF SPIES, who has run consistently well of late, and he gets the vote ahead of Kingsmaite and Bataleur. Mick Channon's gelding has run well in both of his last two starts and a reproduction of the form shown on either of those occasions should see him go close here. Ian Semple's Howards Tipple has slipped to a decent mark and he has to be considered but could probably do with some help from the handicapper, while Rainbow Bay was well held on his reappearance and is hard to back with any confidence after that outing. Gay Kelleway's Straight Face has solid claims on the form shown when successful on the Fibresand at Southwell and he is only 2lbs higher today so he has every chance and makes more appeal than Mel Brittain's Fulford, who may struggle to give weight away all round. The eight-year-old Kingsmaite has been running well of late for Roy Bowring and he is another to consider but it is Ace Of Spies that gets the verdict to gain a deserved success.
Fulford 10-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride and hampered start, in rear, never trouble leaders, 7th of 9, 6l behind Punching (9-2) at Southwell 6f hcap (6) fbs in Jan.
Not Now Lewis (IRE) 28-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Chookie Hamilton (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcap (6) gs in Sep.
Kingsmaite 10-1 (9-9) Behind, under pressure halfway, soon beaten, 10th of 14, 16l behind Cap St Jean (9-5) at Southwell 7f sell stks (6) fbs.
Howards Tipple 8-1 (9-2) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 15l behind Note Perfect (8-5) at Ayr 5f hcap (6) hvy in Oct.
Greek Secret 25-1 (8-9) Steadied start, held up, headway behind leaders 2f out, effort over 1f out, no extra and weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 7l behind Guildenstern (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcap (6) pol in Jan.
Bateleur 9-2fav (8-3) Steadied start, soon dropped in, headway to mid-division 3 out, nowhere to go from over 1f out, effort when not much room inside final furlong, ridden and kept on towards finish, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Mr Skipiton (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Avoncreek 14-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on never nearer, 6th of 14, 8l behind Sarah Park (9-3) at Yarmouth 7f hcap (6) gs in Oct.
Straight Face (IRE) 7-2 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 6th of 11, 12l behind Amber Moon (8-4) at Southwell 1m clm stks 0-55 (6) fbs in Mar.
Loose Caboose (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) In rear, ridden halfway, never in contention, 6th of 8, 7l behind Harry Up (9-13) at Wolverhampton 5f clm stks (6) pol.
Ace of Spies (IRE) 13-2 (8-8) Led, clear halfway, driven over 1f out, kept on until headed well inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Lytton (8-8) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Rainbow Bay 8-1 (9-1) Bumped start, outpaced in rear, 8th of 10, 9l behind Mr Rooney (8-9) at Southwell 5f hcap (6) fbs in Feb.
Supreme Speedster 33-1 (8-5) In rear, wide into straight 3f out, soon ridden, ran on final furlong, not reached leaders, 5th of 12, 8l behind Cape of Storms (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Mar.
Foreign Rhythm (IRE) 40-1 (7-9) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 11th of 16, 21l behind Dancing Maite (8-11) at Leicester 7f clm stks (5) gs in Oct.
Angelofthenorth 9-1 (9-0) Dwelt and behind, headway when not much room well over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 4th of 13, 10l behind Whinhill House (9-4) at Musselburgh 5f sell stks (6) gf in Jun.
Victory Spirit 20-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 39l behind Guildenstern (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcap (6) pol in Jan.
Piccolo Pete 66-1 (8-3) Held up mid-division, weakened over 4f out, 13th of 15, 44l behind Northern Dune (9-1) at Redcar 2m hcp 0-65 (6) fm.
Princess Charlmane (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 20l behind Cape of Storms (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Mar.
