keen close up, led 3f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra
led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide in touch, weakened 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, led entering final furlong, ran on
in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong
raced wide always in rear
prominent, ridden over 2f out, no impression inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
raced wide close up, ridden 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
pulled hard held up, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong
in rear, ridden 3f out, headway entering final furlong, ran on, not reach winner
Lil Sophella was only fourth at Beverley on Saturday and struggles to get her head in front. Royal Holiday and Nelson's Bay were both a little disappointing last time while Thankyou Very Much and Eastlands Lad were beaten favourites at Beverley and Thirsk respectively. Icy Blue is back on a winning mark, however, and hinted at a revival last time. VIOLENT VELOCITY is very much in the veteran stage nowadays but still retains some ability and looks handily weighted taking into account Ian Brennan's claim. The old-timer may just be good enough for this.
Shamaheart (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Led until over 5f out, led again over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, faded closing stages, 4th of 7, 4l behind Border Bandit (9-1) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jun.
Royal Holiday (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Slowly into stride, pushed along off the pace in 6th over 4f out, never on terms, 7th of 8, 19l behind Two Moons (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Jun.
Steel Stockholder 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 10th of 13, 12l behind Zaitsev (9-6) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jun.
Thankyou Very Much 11-8fav (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden and carried left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 8l behind Carragold (9-3) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jun.
Icy Blue 10-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders on inside, ridden 2f out, switched right and kept on into 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Repetition (9-4) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Violent Velocity (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) Held up in rear, not clear run over 1f out, ran on soon after, went 3rd towards finish, not able to get on terms with leading pair, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Zaitsev (9-6) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jun.
Nelson's Bay 4-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 12l behind Kuwait Star (8-11) at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Irondale Express 16-1 (9-1) In touch in rear, good headway 2f out to press leaders, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Polar Eyes (9-0) at Newcastle 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-75 (5) sft in May.
Lil Sophella (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind World Record (9-8) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Eastlands Lad (IRE) 3-1fav (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Space War (9-8) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Tarrafal (IRE) 20-1 (8-3) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 6l behind Outlawed (9-7) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.