chased leaders far side, pushed along halfway, ridden and one pace final furlong
always behind stands side
prominent far side, ridden over 1f out, chased winner final furlong
mid-division far side, effort over 2f out, no impression
always behind far side
towards rear far side, never dangerous
in touch, raced centre, driven over 1f out, one pace until weakened inisde final furlong
chased along, raced centre, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led stands side group, effort over 2f out, no impression
in touch, raced centre, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
made all, raced far side, clear over 1f out, easily
prominent far side, ridden when weakening over 1f out
Not an easy race to assess and only a tentative vote of confidence is placed behind Signor Whippee, who is fancied to uphold recent form with Slipperfoot, while Weakest Link and Glamaraazi are others that have to be respected. The last named still has plenty of scope for improvement and comes here to represent a stable in fine form. Watch the market very carefully where this son of Orpen is concerned, as there are no world beaters on show and his long absence is not such a worry in this company. Weakest Link has already had 28 chances to get off the mark and has been very expensive to follow for win only purposes. However, he has made the frame on nine occasions; so appeals as an each-way proposition. Slipperfoot has bits and pieces of form that give him claims at this level and he should not be underestimated. Being by the ultra-tough Sugarfoot, it will be a bit surprising if he cannot find a race at some juncture and, as three-year-olds have a good record in this particular race, John Quinn's charge can be fancied to be in the thick of the action. However, he was no match for Signor Whippee when they met at Musselburgh earlier in the month and, as Alan Berry has been back amongst the winners this week, this looks a fair opening for the Lancashire-based trainer to make his own mark at a meeting where his father used to excel.
Harrington Bates 14-1 (8-3) Ridden over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Dazzler Mac (9-1) at Thirsk 6f app mdn hcp 0-80 (5) gd.
Hiats 100-1 (8-4) Chased leaders to halfway, last of 13, well behind Wings Of Morning (8-8) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in May.
Weakest Link 20-1 (8-2) Prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, soon edged left and headed, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Tadlil (8-12) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Alone It Stands (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, 4th into straight, soon no extra under pressure, eased inside final furlong, 11th of 16, 9l behind Yellow Ridge (9-3) at Galway 7f 3yo mdn gd.
Dominello 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 18l behind Night In (9-0) at Beverley 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
Game Bertie Mind Games colt out of middle-distance winner Carol Again.
Signor Whippee 20-1 (8-2) Prominent, ridden halfway, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 11l behind Blues In The Night (9-5) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Born For Diamonds (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Chased leaders to over 2f out, soon lost place, 10th of 13, 8l behind Rigat (9-3) at Thirsk 7f mdn stk (5) gf in Jul.
All Clued Up (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, hung left well over 1f out, 10th of 11, 9l behind Sir Loin (8-7) at W'hampton 5f app hcp (6) pol in Jul.
Bond Sea Breeze (IRE) Namid filly, half-sister to 6f winner Eden Star.
Glamaraazi (IRE) 20-1 (8-2) Dwelt, stumbled after 1f, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 5th of 12, 6l behind Supercast (8-9) at Carlisle 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jun '05.
How's She Cuttin' (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, never near to challenge, 8th of 13, 8l behind Quaich (9-0) at Thirsk 7f mdn fll (4) gd.
Slipperfoot 8-1 (9-2) Led far side group, ridden and edged left over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 12, hd behind Epineuse (8-9) at Ripon 5f 3yo sll hcp (6) gd.
