mid-division centre, pushed along over 3f out, some headway final furlong
tracked leaders centre, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch centre, ridden over 2f out, no extra approaching final furlong
tracked leader far side, headway and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear centre, never dangerous
dwelt towards rear centre, ridden over 2f out, headway under pressure approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish
stumbled start, led far side and overall leader until over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch centre, headway over 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
led centre, overall leader over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
close up centre, weakened over 2f out
towards rear centre, headway over 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on final furlong
dwelt, towards rear centre, headway halfway, effort over 1f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear centre, never dangerous
chased leaders centre, weakened over 1f out
prominent for 3f centre, soon behind
This is a really competitive handicap in which the shortlist contains Observatory Star, Motafarred and Mineral Star and the vote is given to Observatory Star. Tim Easterby's 4-year-old ran a blinder last time when only beaten a neck here by Passion Fruit. He was doing his best work at the finish that day so the step-up in trip should suit and he is a confident choice. Motafarred won well at Leciester last time when beating Optimus and he has been a model of consistency this year so he should give another good account of himself. Mineral Star is possibly at his best with a bit of cut in the ground, while Wahoo Sam could be a danger to all if he is given an easy lead. But Observatory Star will relish this trip and he can get his head in front.
Hula Ballew 33-1 (9-6) Led far side, headed over 1f out, weakened, 13th of 17, 8l behind Middlemarch (8-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Kabis Amigos 4-1 (9-13) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 12l behind Frank Crow (9-1) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Mineral Star (IRE) 17-2 (9-13) Held up, headway on inner over 3f out, no extra entering final furlong, 7th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Stargazer Jim (9-12) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Exit Smiling 20-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 5l behind Webbow (9-4) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Kaymich Perfecto 14-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 14th of 15, 35l behind Major Magpie (9-3) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Sept.
United Nations Evensfav (9-13) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon clear, driven out, comfortably, won at Beverley 1m clm (5) gf beating Credential (9-8) by 8l, 13 ran.
Wahoo Sam (USA) 7-1 (9-7) Made all, ridden over 2f out, soon clear, just held on, won at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gd beating Mystical Ayr (8-13) by a hd, 11 ran.
Observatory Star (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 13, nk behind Passion Fruit (9-10) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-80 (4) frm.
Motafarred (IRE) 11-4fav (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Leicester 1m hcp 0-75 (5) frm beating Optimus (9-11) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Sake (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Chased winner until ridden 2f out, kept on, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Viva Volta (9-13) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Efidium 14-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, 4th of 5, 7l behind Ragheed (8-8) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-90 (3) frm.
Champain Sands (IRE) 4-1fav (8-10) Slowly into stride, headway when not clear run 2f out and over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Inside Story (9-4) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Borodinsky 9-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 14, nk behind Kirkby's Treasure (9-8) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Pianoforte (USA) 4-1 (9-1) Held up behind, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, never near leaders, 6th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Kirkby's Treasure (9-8) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Coronado's Gold (USA) 10-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace, 4th of 11, 3l behind Wahoo Sam (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
