chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on inside final furlong
made all, ridden well over 1f out, driven out
chased leaders, weakaned over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and headed well over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, one pace from over 1f out
in rear and outpaced, edged left from over halfway, headway final furlong, stayed on
prominent, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on
in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, never on terms
led alone far side until halfway, every chance inside final furlong, one pace
towards rear, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on
Guto has slipped to a decent mark and, with trip and ground conditions to suit, he looks worth chancing here so gets the vote ahead of Ocean Blaze and Desert Opal. The last mentioned has run consistently well all season, including when a close seventh at Beverley last time and he should be thereabouts again but may just be a shade high in the weights at present. Welcome Approach has similarly been running well without a great deal of success and again has place claims. Raccoon would probably prefer the ground to be faster, while Windjammer represents a yard that is struggling to find winners at present. Strathmore is less exposed than most of these after just nine starts and has to be respected, although more solid claims are held by the consistent Ocean Blaze. The handicapper has been kind to Guto though and he is taken to make the most of what appears a favourable mark.
Desert Opal 5-1jt-fav (9-9) Towards rear, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, 7th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Kings College Boy (8-11) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Guto 14-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, ridden and no impression final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind Inter Vision (9-0) at Thirsk 6f hcap (3) gf in Sept.
Ocean Blaze 12-1 (9-2) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Malapropism (8-13) at Newmarket 5f hcap (5) frm in Sept.
Welcome Approach 10-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 2l behind Hotham (8-11) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept.
Stonecrabstomorrow (IRE) 4-1fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, ridden to race in mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 8l behind Alfresco (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcap (4) pol in Sept.
Almaty Express 40-1 (8-7) Led far side group, headed halfway, weakened final furlong, 15th of 20, 6l behind Colorus (8-5) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Strensall 15-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, driven over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 5l behind Digital (9-2) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sept.
Windjammer 7-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 8l behind Divine Spirit (9-3) at Musselburgh 5f hcap (4) gs in Sept.
Ingleby Princess 12-1 (9-2) Mid-division, lost place halfway, soon beaten, last of 12, 18l behind Cornus (8-5) at Thirsk 6f hcap (5) gf in Sept.
Kerry's Dream 33-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 11th of 13, 5l behind Feelin Foxy (8-10) at Hamilton 6f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Methaaly (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (9-0) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3f out, edged left under pressure over 1f out, 8th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Carcinetto (8-10) at W'hampton 6f hcap (5) pol in Sept.
Strathmore (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Behind, outpaced halfway, never able to challenge, last of 8, 22l behind Poppy's Rose (8-11) at Redcar 6f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Jun.
Raccoon (IRE) 15-2 (9-1) Raced alone far side and overall leader, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Digital (9-2) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Sept.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 12th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Sandwith (8-13) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sept.
Dark Champion 11-1 (9-1) Prominent for 3f, 9th of 11, 8l behind The History Man (8-12) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
