with leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
behind, not clear run, switched left well over 1f out, effort when not much room inside final furlong, switched right and ran on well towards finish
mid-division, effort 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong
mid-division, outpaced when not much room 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, outpaced and edged right final furlong
mid-division, lost place 4f out, no danger after
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
behind, effort and headway on outside over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced keenly, in touch, headway to challenge 2f out, soon ridden, no extra final furlong
led, driven and headed over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out
Another decent contest here where Almoutaz is chosen ahead of Rainbow Mirage and Celtic Strand. The selection looked to be over his breathing issues when runner up in a Thirsk handicap last time and a 3lb rise looks fair. He was just collared on the line that day, will act on any ground, though won't mind rain, and with Michael Hills now on board he looks the one to be with. Rainbow Mirage scored over this trip at Nottingham last time and prefers but in the ground. His task looks tricky from 4lb higher now. Blue Spinnaker has to be taken seriously after a third win this season and he too wants cut, but he has never yet strung two wins together so we'll take him on. A bet bet may be Celtic Strand, who races from the same mark as when runner-up at Newcastle last time and is still open to improvement, having not had much racing. Hula Ballew just looks a tad too high in the weights, while the same goes for My Paris. Lots in with chances then in another competiive heat and Almoutaz is taken to score.
My Paris 4-1 (9-4) Led for 1f, tracked winner until weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, last of 3, 10l behind Ben Chorley (9-5) at Ripon 1m 1f hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Jun.
Blue Spinnaker (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Mid-division on inside, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead final 50 yards, won at York 1m hcp 0-90 (3) hvy beating Violent Velocity (8-6) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Rainbow Mirage (IRE) 5-2fav (9-9) Tracked leaders and keen, led over 1f out stayed on under pressure, won at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs beating Reel Buddy Star (8-6) by a nk, 7 ran.
Hula Ballew 9-2fav (9-5) Close up, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 15, 1 1/2l behind Wind Shuffle (8-8) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Jun.
Nevada Desert (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway on outer over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Bustan (9-1) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Almoutaz (USA) 5-1 (9-7) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, driven, kept on final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 8, shd behind King Fingal (8-13) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Charlie Tipple 8-1 (9-8) Mid-division, headway and switched right over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Wind Shuffle (8-8) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Jun.
Apollo Shark (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Prominent, effort over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 8, 21l behind Military Power (9-6) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Flight To Quality 16-1 (8-8) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 6l behind Cape Hawk (9-6) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gs.
Bere Davis (FR) 12-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, rallied and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 5l behind Topazes (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 3yo hcp (4) gs.
Celtic Strand (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Gala Casino Star (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in May.
