tracked leaders, outpaced over 4f out, headway 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on towards finish
held up behind, headway over 2f out, stayed on over 1f out, no impression
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on
prominent, weakened over 3f out, eased 2f out
led, headed over 8f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up and keen, led over 8f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on towards finish, just held
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, led over 2f out, just held on
prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
We'll take a chance that GOLDEN GROOM will be fit enough to land this handicap after a near two year absence with Fell Pack best placed to take advantage if not while Hurricane Thomas now looks dangerous in the weights. The selection finished off his 2007 campaign with back to back victories over longer trips. The latest was off this mark and he seems to be effected over this sharper trip too so as long has he is race fit he should run a big return on ground he likes. Fell Pack is up four pounds for a victory over a subsequent winner in similar conditions last time. He's yet to win over this far but has shaped he'll get it so he should follow up with a nice effort. Hurricane Thomas is on a long losing streak but has a result is now racing off a career low rating. There was a hint that he might have found a bit of form on his last run so he could be interesting. Black Dahlia is back to a much more competitive rating now so needs to be looked at but while this is a bit of a chancy call we'll side with Golden Groom.
Black Dahlia 12-1 (10-0) Held up, headway on outer to lead 3f out, driven when headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 12, 5l behind Umverti (9-0) at Pontefract 1m 2f (5) gd in May.
Amazing King (IRE) 11-2 (9-10) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 8th of 12, 5l behind General Tufto (10-5) at Beverley 1m 2f (5) gd in May.
Fell Pack 14-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) sft in May beating Society Venue (9-4) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Fossgate 10-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden 5f out, soon beaten, eased final furlong, 7th of 8, 49l behind Danzatrice (9-2) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Sporting Gesture 28-1 (8-4) Prominent, ridden along and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 16, 13l behind Red Wine (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May.
Summer Lodge 15-2 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Rare Coincidence (9-4) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Golden Groom 9-2fav (9-4) Prominent, went 2nd over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, led well over 1f out, held on well towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m hcap (6) gf in Sep '07 beating Balakar (9-6) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Hurricane Thomas (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden along over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind General Tufto (10-5) at Beverley 1m 2f (5) gd in May.
