raced wide, pulled hard, held up until pulled way up to chase leaders 4th, ridden and weakening when went right 2 out
took keen hold, held up in mid-division, weakened 4 out
made all, joined 3 out, clear when went right and hit 2 out, stayed on well
took keen hold tracking leaders, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression
took keen hold towards rear, weakened 4 out, behind and pulled up approaching 2 out
raced wide, held up towards rear, hit 6th, ridden and struggling in 7th before 2 out, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, no extra in 4th last
chased leaders, weakened soon after 4 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on inside before next, went 3rd last
raced keenly and soon chasing winner, challenged and every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
It looks like the handicapper has finally got to Cool Baranca while Makhzoon only won a claimer here last month. Locked Inthepocket should make a bold bid to complete the hat-trick, however, and What A Steel is another recent course winner, though his best form is over further. INOOGOO needs to improve again to confirm recent running at the track with third Parson's Punch but is probably capable of doing so and can score again for George Bewley with Willie Hall returning from a short break. Athronan, second at Downpatrick last Tuesday, is worth a second look if the market speaks in his favour however.
Cool Baranca (GER) 8-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, blundered 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 28l behind Knight In Purple (11-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gd in May.
Strongpoint (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, ridden before and mistake 3 out, weakened before 2 out, last of 8, 29l behind Cool Baranca (9-13) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Makhzoon (USA) 13-8fav (11-2) With leader, led before 2 out, kept on from last, driven out, won at Perth 3m clm hdl (5) sft in May beating Western Bound (11-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Inoogoo (IRE) 9-4fav (11-1) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, kept on, driven out, won at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in May beating Cadore (10-11) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Willie Hall 2-1fav (11-6) In touch in 4th, hit 10th, mistake 5 out, ridden and weakened before last, 3rd of 5, 31l behind Fred Bojangals (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Apr.
Locked Inthepocket (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, led 2 out, kept on, driven out, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in May beating Boruler (11-4) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
What A Steel (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Held up mid-division, headway before 6th to tracked leaders, challenged last, led final 150 yards, kept on well towards finish, won at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May beating Dj Milan (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Long Distance (FR) 8-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway before 8th, soon chased leading pair, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Makhzoon (11-2) at Perth 3m clm hdl (5) sft in May, 7 ran.
Parson's Punch 6-1 (11-1) Towards rear, ridden before and jumped right 2 out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Inoogoo (11-1) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in May.
Athronan (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Settled towards rear, headway on outer after 3 out, left 3rd and slightly hampered approaching 2 out, ridden to go 2nd after last, kept on under pressure without really troubling winner, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Hu Ha Jo (10-5) at Downpatrick 2m 6f hcp hdl 80-95 gd.
