led, headed over 2f out, driven to regain lead over 1f out, headed and no extra close home
held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
dwelt and towards rear, soon chased along, broke wide and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, kept on same pace final furlong
was in touch, driven over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
was towards rear, headway 2f out, one pace final furlong
dwelt and towards rear, soon ridden along, never troubled leaders
mid-division, effort halfway, soon behind
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home
was in touch, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied to regain lead well inside final furlong, headed close home
The market is likely to offer most clues and we prefer Doric Hero is our selection ahead of Annapolis and Cavendish Road. The colt was quite keen on his Redcar debut but he learnt plenty for that experience and the uphill finish at Pontefract ought to be to his liking tonight. Annapolis is sure to be popular given the Mark Johnston connection. He finished four lengths behind a horse that had ran creditably in the Windsor Castle Stakes earlier in his career so that opening line of form looks fair. Cavendish Road was unlucky to run up against a useful sort at Leicester last time out. His yard haven't been too far away of late. Diggeratt was easy to back on Nottingham debut but plugged on late in the piece. Cyflyminder was the most expensive of these at public auction and looks on breeding as if needing further. The Easterby clan are always to be feared at Ponty and Abbey Steps, who is closely related to Italian winners over six furlongs, makes a fair degree of appeal. Identity may have been cheaply bought but the booking of Chris Catlin catches the eye. Venetian Lady's half-sister won over six furlongs albeit on bottomless ground. A tough opener, typical of the night, and Doric Echo gets our vote.
Cyflymder (IRE) Mujadil colt out of a moderate racemare.
Annapolis 20-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, not reach leading pair, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Khor Dubai (9-3) at Yarmouth 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf.
Doric Echo 7-1 (9-3) Took very keen hold, held up behind leaders, headway 2f out, edged left approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace, 4th of 14, 6l behind Tagula Breeze (9-3) at Redcar 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Jun.
Abbey Steps (IRE) Choisir gelding, half-brother to winning miler Crosshaven.
Big Apple Boy (IRE) Statue Of Liberty colt, half-brother to winners on the flat and over hurdles.
Cavendish Road (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Chased winner, driven to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Lucky Redback (8-11) at Leicester 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Jun.
Home Before Dark Bertolini colt out of an unraced mare.
Bluebaru Bahamian Bounty gelding out of an unraced mare.
Flog It 40-1 (8-10) With leaders, ridden and hampered over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 35l behind Classic Blade (8-9) at Doncaster 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in Jun.
Gems Star 100-1 (9-3) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 16, 11l behind Prime Delivery (9-3) at Thirsk 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf.
Venetian Lady Tobougg filly, half-sister to winning sprinter Molly Dancer.
Diggeratt (USA) 50-1 (8-8) Slowly away, behind and outpaced, staying on when not much room inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind The Magic of Rio (8-12) at Nottingham 5f 2yo mdn fll aut (5) gf.
Identity 8-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, kept on final furlong, 4th of 10, 4l behind First City (8-7) at Ripon 6f 2yo mdn fll (5) hvy.
Pennine Rose 50-1 (8-7) Soon driven, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 10, 24l behind First City (8-7) at Ripon 6f 2yo mdn fll (5) hvy.
