towards rear, headway on inner over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
behind, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led, headed 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven clear inside final furlong
in touch, smooth headway to track leaders over 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on, no impression
slowly into stride, effort and headway over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
slowly away, in rear, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final 2f, never troubled leaders
held up, effort on outer over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 3f out
in touch, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leader to halfway, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
in touch and keen, headway to lead 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
Modest and competitive, that is your starting point, but the vote goes to Trouble Mountain ahead of Apache Point and Rotuma. Trouble Mountain may not be as good as he was but he will love today's conditions, has taken a tumble in the ratings and might be worth taking a chance on. From the same stable, Middlethorpe has a similar profile, while Prince Of The May is a potential improver up in trip from a canny yard, although he is unproven on the going. Conversely, you can build a good case for Apache Point, probably so long as it does not become too testing. Tata Naka looked as though a return to this type of trip might suit last time and might bag some money, while Rotuma comes here on the back of a very good Newcastle run and gets a big mention. Finally, it would not entirely be a surprise if Michael Wigham got a tune out of the one-time promising Celtique on this going and you can build a case for Foolish Groom, but the question is will he last home on the going? Trouble Mountain will, and he gets the vote.
Foolish Groom 10-1 (8-2) Started slowly, soon mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression, 11th of 18, 8l behind Hula Ballew (8-8) at Pontefract 1m hcap (5) gf.
Unsuited 9-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Dove Cottage (8-4) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Pianoforte (USA) 40-1 (8-7) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 13, 16l behind Greenwich Meantime (9-5) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcap (5) gd in Apr.
Credential 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden and weakened from 3f out, 10th of 12, 13l behind Takes Tutu (11-2) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Trouble Mountain (USA) 14-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Dium Mac (8-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcap (6) gd.
Mossmann Gorge 25-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Lewis Island (9-1) at Bath 1m 4f hcap (6) gs.
Danzatrice 25-1 (8-9) Always behind, 10th of 13, 14l behind Shamrock Bay (9-3) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Middlethorpe 20-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened rapidly and soon well behind, 12th of 13, 29l behind Twentytwosilver (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f banded stk (7) pol.
Richie Boy 100-1 (8-5) Dwelt, always behind, last of 15, 28l behind Oldenway (9-3) at Catterick 1m 4f clm (6) gf.
Padre Nostro (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway 6f out, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 7th of 14, 19l behind Sugitani (8-11) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Mar.
Prince of The May 9-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on, 4th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Golden Square (8-5) at Warwick 1m app hcp (6) gd.
Apache Point (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway when not much room over 1f out, stayed on, 6th of 16, 4l behind Dium Mac (8-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcap (6) gd.
Tata Naka 33-1 (8-4) Held up, headway on inside from over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 3l behind Captain General (8-8) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcap (5) gf.
Rotuma (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Dium Mac (8-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcap (6) gd.
Futoo (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 13, 42l behind Rose Bien (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 6f banded stk (7) std.
Celtique 25-1 (8-13) Dwelt, always in rear, 11th of 12, 5l behind Oakley Absolute (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
