chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
prominent, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong
always in rear division
mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon behind
prominent, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
dwelt and behind, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
prominent, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
never better than mid-division
mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden 2f out, never dangerous
towards rear, stumbled soon after start, never a factor
in touch, driven 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear and soon chased along, headway on inner over 1f out, one pace final furlong
Nonrunner
A typical Ponty headscratcher to go home on and Blessed Place is narrowly preferred to Henry Hall and Namir. Blessed Place had the misfortune to come up against the well supported, Portmerion, last time out but he ran a stormer in defeat and on that evidence, compensation awaits. His draw could be a slight problem but he is not short of early pace and does get further than the published five furlongs. Henry Hall ran a fair second to Endless Summer at Haydock earlier in the month. Kim Tinkler's mount has got a good draw on this occasion and the lady rider will need to make full use of it. Namir won over six furlongs at Nottigham for new connections and as a previous winner at this track, it would be folly to underestimate him. Brigadore has historically run well in this race although the seven-year-old is yet to trouble the judge this year. Trick Cyclist lost all chance at the start at Carlisle but could be dangerous if on a going day while Flur Na H Alba placed in a similar event at Pontefract off a 5lb higher mark and could be given chances if reproducing that effort on this occasion. Whinhill House should be up there from the start while Percy Douglas is not devoid of pace and could go well at a price. Cases can be made for a number of these runners but Blessed Place did enough to suggest that his turn awaits and he receives our nomination.
Whinhill House 9-1 (8-11) Led centre, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 8l behind Ellens Academy (9-0) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-80 (4) frm.
Henry Hall (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Raced keen in mid-division, ridden halfway, soon beaten, 8th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Ryedane (9-3) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Blessed Place 5-1 (9-4) Led, ridden 2f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Portmeirion (9-7) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Flur Na H Alba 9-1 (8-12) Towards rear and outpaced, ridden halfway, one pace final furlong, no impression, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Malapropism (9-10) at York 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Namir (IRE) 11-2 (9-10) Slowly into stride and soon switched stands side, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Nottingham 6f sll hcp (6) frm beating Special Gold (9-8) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Trick Cyclist 11-4fav (9-5) Stumbled start, slowly into stride, ridden over 1f out, never reached challenging position, 6th of 8, 6l behind Aegean Dancer (9-6) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-70 (5) frm.
Percy Douglas 16-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 17, 8l behind Paddywack (9-0) at Beverley 5f hcap (6) gf.
Alexia Rose (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Close up, ridden over halfway, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 8l behind Celtic Thunder (8-11) at Haydock 6f app hcp (5) gf.
