in rear, soon struggling, never dangerous
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression
behind, headway over 2f out, one pace
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
behind, ridden healfway, one pace from over 1f out
chased leaders, outpaced over 1f out
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, nearest at finish
always towards rear
behind, effort halfway, never dangerous
mid-division, stayed on over 1f out, nearest at finish
led for 2f, chased leaders, no extra entering final furlong
chased leaders, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened 2f out
led after 2f, ridden over 2f out, headed towards finish, no extra
held up in touch, outpaced final furlong
always towards rear
Another very competitive handicap for punters to solve here and RIO SANDS is given the nod to land it ahead of the likes of Haajes, Bahamian Ballet and Tartatartufata. A winner earlier in the season off today's mark, a combination of soft ground and a rise in the weights appear to have been contributing factors in the selection struggling to pick up a race since. Haajes raced under a 6lb penalty last time having landed a gamble for connections on his penultimate start. Off the same mark once again he should be thereabouts once although a third race in less than two weeks is a task in itself. Tartatartufata holds a much lower mark on the turf to that on the all-weather. She posted her best effort for a while on the artificial surface and would have to come into calculations given the yards form also. Speedy Senorita continues to race consistently but might just be in the grip of the assessor now. Lake Chini was out-paced last time at Ayr in a race that suited those that raced on the pace. If he can lie up early on he would have his chances but Rio Sands is the selection.
Haajes 13-2 (9-5) Prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, no extra when headed towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Memphis Man (9-1) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept.
Dickie Le Davoir 40-1 (8-11) Behind stands' side group, stayed on well final furlong, 12th of 27, 9l behind Against The Grain (9-0) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) hvy in Sept.
Mission Impossible 16-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 9l behind Errigal Lad (8-12) at Leicester 6f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Sept.
Bahamian Ballet 13-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 3l behind The Jobber (9-5) at Yarmouth 5f hcap (4) gd in Sept.
Barraland 25-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, weakened final furlong, last of 13, 12l behind Mr Wolf (9-1) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept.
Speedy Senorita (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 18, 1 1/2l behind Namir (9-6) at Newmarket 5f hcap (5) gf in Sept.
Sandwith 12-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders and keen, hung left from over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 11l behind Hotham (8-12) at Ayr 5f hcap (4) hvy in Sept.
Tartatartufata 15-2 (9-1) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Luscivious (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-90 (3) fbs in May.
King Of Swords (IRE) 11-1 (8-8) Chased leaders stands side, effort over 2f, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 4l behind Rocker (8-10) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
The Bear 9-2fav (8-12) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 6l behind Haajes (9-1) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Sept.
Rio Sands 11-4fav (8-11) Slowly into stride, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 6, 7l behind Killer Class (8-1) at Ayr 5f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Miss Daawe 3-1fav (8-12) Prominent, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 5l behind Angle of Attack (9-6) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Aug.
Cayman Fox 66-1 (8-6) Led, headed 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 17l behind Makshoof (8-8) at Haydock 6f hcap (4) hvy in Sept.
Lake Chini (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Slowly into stride, pushed along in rear, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Grimes Faith (8-10) at Ayr 5f hcap (5) hvy in Sept.
Tangerine Trees 25-1 (8-13) Close up, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 18, 3l behind Ingleby Star (8-8) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sept.
Fish Called Johnny 9-1 (8-12) Led 1f, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 8, 9l behind Avontuur (8-9) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Raccoon (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, headway to challenge inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Spirit of Coniston (8-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sept.
Windjammer 11-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, last of 18, 14l behind Ingleby Star (8-8) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sept.
Top Bid 40-1 (9-4) Mid-division, weakening when hampered inside final furlong, 12th of 18, 6l behind Apollo Shark (9-4) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Sept.
