chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway 3f out, driven and one pace final 2f
mid-division, driven and one pace final 2f
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon beaten
led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, never troubled leaders
mid-division, headway over 2f out, driven to lead near finish
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, hard driven and headed near line
always behind, never a factor
Nonrunner
There are plenty in with chances in this handicap and we will side with STEVIE THUNDER to get the better of Jewelled Dagger, Tartan Gigha and Charlie Tipple. Ian Williams's 4-year-old was twice a winner last June and he did show progressive form throughout last season. He ran well on his seasonal return at Sandown last month and with conditions to suit he is taken to regain the winning thread. Jewelled Dagger was returning from a lengthy break when going close at Musselburgh earlier in the month and he has twice run well here in the past. Tartan Gigha was a beaten favourite at Yarmouth last time but he came up against a useful sort on that occasion and he could be capable of bouncing back. Tim Easterby had a big winner at York this week but they are yet to really hit top form. Charlie Tipple would have a big chance on the pick of his form but he looks high enough in the weights at present and although he is entitled to run his race, others are preferred. Mangham won well here last May and he is worth considering at an each-way price. This is not an easy race to predict, but Stevie Thunder has plenty in his favour and he should go close.
Mangham (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, soon weakened, 7th of 16, 4l behind Flawed Genius (8-10) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Webbow (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, challenged over 1f out until driven and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Flawed Genius (8-10) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Stevie Thunder 12-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway from over 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd entering final furlong, no further impression on leading pair, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Dunn'o (8-11) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
Tartan Gigha (IRE) Evensfav (8-10) Held up in touch, headway and every chance over 1f out, ridden, stayed on, not pace of winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Cadre (8-9) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Jewelled Dagger (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Led, ridden over 2f out, soon headed, one pace after, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Opus Maximus (8-13) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Mujaadel (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden over 3f out, some late headway final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Opus Maximus (8-13) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Charlie Tipple 10-1 (8-8) Mid-divsion, ridden over 2f out, kept on well final furlong, 5th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Flawed Genius (8-10) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Tanto Faz (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Chased leading pair, pushed along and hung right from 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 6l behind Swinging Sixties (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Oct.
Exit Smiling 25-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden along halfway, some late headway, never reached challenging position, 6th of 12, 7l behind Billy Dane (9-0) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Toto Skyllachy 12-1 (9-1) Hampered at start, always rear division, 9th of 10, 14l behind Tartan Gigha (9-0) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Runswick Bay 33-1 (8-13) Always behind, pulled up 6f out, in a race won by Cobo Bay (9-7) at Ripon 1m 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Apr '08, 6 ran.
Annemasse 7-1 (8-12) Led, headed over 2f out, weakening when hampered on rail 2f out, 13th of 14, 20l behind Little White Lie (8-13) at Epsom Downs 1m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Summon Up Theblood 20-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 16, 8l behind Flawed Genius (8-10) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Pride of Nation (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Behind, switched right 2f out, no impression over 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 20l behind Forgotten Voice (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-90) (3) pol.
