in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon well behind
prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well
prominent, ridden over 2f out, outpaced and no impression from over 1f out
tracked leaders, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, unable to get on terms
slowly into stride, held up, shaken up over 1f out, no impression, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, effort 2f out, switched left over 1f out, ridden and pressing for 2nd inside final furlong, no extra near finish
in touch in mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, always held by winner
Nonrunner
Michael Dods won this last year with an odds-on chance but Star Cracker's victory at Beverley came on ground with plenty of give. Horsforth also won at Beverley then contested much better races and he'll be better for his comeback at Thirsk. SHOWSTOPPA won at Carlisle in August and wasn't disgraced in some tough handicaps later. She may have been a bit unlucky on her comeback at Wolverhampton and can make amends here. Darma, a winner at Wolverhampton in October, did nothing wrong on her return to action at Nottingham and should appreciate the expected faster going. Signoret led briefly in the closing stages over 6f at Ripon and the return to the minimum trip should ensure she's competitive.
Star Cracker (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Towards rear and outpaced, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 9l behind Twilight Son (9-5) at Thirsk 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.
State Of The Union (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 10l behind George Bowen (8-13) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo hcp (3) in Mar.
Showstoppa 4-1 (9-0) Outpaced in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, kept on same pace closing stages, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Dark Side Dream (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4).
Darma (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Prominent, took keen hold, pushed along over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Waady (9-7) at Nottingham 5f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Signoret (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Dragon King (9-7) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Chances Are (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Slow into stride in touch in rear, ridden 2f out, no impression, last of 6, 8l behind Best Dressed (9-2) at Hamilton 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sep.
Landing Night (IRE) 11-4fav (9-3) Took keen hold early, chased leaders on outside, effort on outside over 1f out, hung left and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Zebs Lad (9-0) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Stanghow 20-1 (8-9) Raced near side, chased leader in group but never on terms with main group, led trio halfway, no chance when hung left from over 1f out, last of 13, 8l behind Charlie Lad (8-8) at Nottingham 5f 2yo hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Oct.
Horsforth 11-1 (8-3) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Among Angels (8-3) at Thirsk 5f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Charlie Lad 3-1fav (9-5) Chased leaders on stands side rail, switched left 2f out, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on to take 4th inside final furlong, no impression, 4th of 7, 6l behind Flicka's Boy (9-7) at Nottingham 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
