took keen hold, led 1f, tracked winner, driven over 1f out, held when carried slightly right soon after, one pace and lost 2nd inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway 2f out, switched right over 1f out, kept on same pace
prominent, went 2nd briefly over 2f out, weakened 2f out, eased over 1f out
always behind
started slowly, soon driven along to chase leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon behind
steadied start, switched left, held up tracking leaders on inside, headway to chase leaders 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, kept on towards finish
led after 1f, made rest, pushed along 2f out, hung right over 1f out, kept on towards finish
held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, driven inside final 2f, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to get competitive
always behind, driven along on outside over 3f out, struggling after, eased when no chance final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along halfway, headway on outside well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to threaten leaders
mid-division on outside, ridden 3f out, never dangerous after
This appears a moderate contest in which CATAWOLLOW gets the marginal call to beat Crystal Feather and Abu Dubai. Our selection got off the mark at the seventh time of asking over this trip at Newcastle last time when improving for the first-time eye shield. She's effectively 3lbs higher here having raced from a pound out of the weights that day and is also up in grade, but this race lacks strength and she might be able to progress further now she's managed to get her head in front. Crystal Feather doesn't always appear to put it all in but Jimmy Fortune won't take any nonsense and she's only 2lbs higher than when scoring at Yarmouth last season. Last time she wasn't beaten far in a better contest and concerns around the drop in trip are in part negated by the stiff finish at Pontefract; she should go close. Abu Dubai is an inconsistent maiden but she ran much better last time and could build on it here. She's got placed form off much higher marks on the all-weather and should be better for racing over a mile, so it could be 13th time lucky for Jeremy Glover's filly. Buzz Bird has won two of her last three races but both have been at Southwell, where her form figures read 1 - 1 - 2 - 2, whereas on turf she's yet to do better than eighth. That stat suggests she's something of a Fibresand specialist and we'll take her on here. Similarly both of Location's wins have come on the all-weather although last time she ran on turf she did take third. That was in a lower grade though and she's somehow 4lbs higher now, so again looks opposable although her reserves of stamina may come into play if they go fast up front. Whipma Whopma Gate looks in the grip of the handicapper now so those looking for one at a price could do well to turn to Rascal In The Mix who arrives on the back of her best effort on the turf and could improve for cheekpieces. This isn't a race to get carried away with but Catawollow should run well and gets our vote.
Solitary 16-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, 10th of 11, 9l behind Bahamian Lad (9-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sep.
Whipma Whopma Gate (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Light Dubai (9-1) at Ayr 1m fll hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Crystal Feather 5-1 (8-13) Steadied start, held up towards rear, some headway when not clear run just over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong,, 4th of 10, 5l behind King's Counsel (8-4) at Redcar 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Location 20-1 (8-5) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Spinning Ridge (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in May.
Exopuntia 33-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, well in rear, not clear run over 2f out, switched left well over 1f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 15, 6l behind King's Sabre (8-11) at Yarmouth 1m mdn hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Rascal In The Mix (USA) 18-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, every chance from 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 15, 2 3/4l behind King's Sabre (8-11) at Yarmouth 1m mdn hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Abu Dubai (IRE) 25-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Dr Wintringham (8-13) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Akamon 9-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 14l behind Comedy Act (9-10) at Leicester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Buzz Bird 13-8fav (8-13) Prominent, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, drew readily clear from over 1f out, eased towards finish, won at Southwell 7f 3yo sell stks (6) fbs beating Blue Zephyr (8-12) by 6l, 10 ran.
Catawollow 16-1 (7-13) In touch on stands side, driven to chase overall leader over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May beating Jozafeen (8-11) by 1l, 15 ran.
Ilkley 100-1 (8-4) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, went 3rd over 2f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 11, 13l behind Rock N Roll Ransom (9-0) at Nottingham 1m mdn stks (5) gs.
