made all, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged right and kept on gamely final furlong
always in rear division
mid-division, headway over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
prominent, pushed along halfway, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, edged right and one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders to halfway
towards rear, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
mid-division, headway on inner over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
Grazeon Gold Blend, Mr Wolf and Fantasy Believer all hold claims on the book and we take a speculative punt about Grazeon Gold Blend. Graham Gibbons mount was done no favours by the draw at Redcar when down the field last week but there was still money about for him at fancy prices and there can be few complaints this week about his stalls position. Mr Wolf is a confirmed front-runner and can be expected to bounce out from stall two. Although more associated with five furlongs, he has won previously over six at Catterick. Fantasy Believer put up a good performance to beat Wyatt Earp over course-and-distance earlier in the month. It would be no surprise to see him thereabouts in spite of a moderate draw. Sir Nod will need plenty of use made of him from the wide draw while the market should be watched about Red Romeo as he is dropped back to this trip by Alan Swinbank despite some modest runs over it in the past. Algharb put up a no-show at Newcastle and is much better than that bare form suggests. Grazeon Gold Blend will be a decent price on the day and given a positive draw and an enterprising ride, he should give us a good run for our money.
Mr Wolf 10-1 (9-11) Made all, ridden 2f out, clear approaching final furlong, kept on gamely, won at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf beating Caribbean Coral (9-11) by 2l, 11 ran.
Algharb 11-2 (9-6) Always towards rear, 11th of 13, 8l behind Indian Trail (9-12) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Red Romeo 13-2 (9-4) Steadied start, held up behind, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 6th of 13, 8l behind Paper Talk (9-13) at Newbury 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Grazeon Gold Blend 25-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 5l behind Bentong (9-4) at Redcar 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Sir Nod 6-1 (9-1) Soon prominent and keen, ridden over 1f out, ran on same pace, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Knot In Wood (8-11) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Balakiref 12-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 15, 6l behind King's Caprice (9-6) at Chepstow 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Currency 16-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, rallied 1f out, ran on to go 2nd last strides, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Knot In Wood (8-11) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Fantasy Believer 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, soon one pace, 4th of 13, 2l behind Bayeux (9-11) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf.