mid-division on inside, lost place 6f out, kept on same pace under pressure final 2f, never on terms
tracked leaders on outside, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led halfway, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression when lost 3rd near finish
held up mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace, weakened towards finish
held up in last pair, ridden over 3f out, no impression until stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, nearest finish
led to halfway, tracked leader, ridden to challenge 3f out, kept on, no impression with winner from over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon lost place and behind
held up in last pair, outpaced over 3f out, ridden 2f out, still plenty to do when switched outside 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to go 3rd near finish, nearest finish
tracked leaders, headway on outside 3f out, led over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
This looks too far for White Deer, who was beaten in a seller last time. Fantino and Valdan haven't shown much later, while River Dragon looks harshly treated on his handicap debut though he has won over hurdles. So has Spice Bar, who will relish the ground and the step up to 2m judged on his second over 1m4f at Chepstow. Declan Carroll's seven-year-old is certainly one for the short-list with Jason Hart claiming 7lb but we just prefer BRASINGAMAN ERIC. He looked a progressive stayer when beating Terenzium by two lengths off a fast pace over 1m6f at Carlisle and, only 4lb higher here, can score again. Simple Jim could be best of the rest.
White Deer (USA) 5-2 (9-11) In touch in rear, headway and not clear run approaching final furlong, soon switched, ridden and ran on to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Yorksters Prince (8-13) at Redcar 1m 2f sell stks (6) gf in Jul.
Brasingaman Eric 4-1fav (10-6) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 6f out, led 2f out, pushed along and kept on well final furlong, won at Carlisle 1m 6f am hcp 0-60 (6) gs beating Terenzium (10-3) by 2l, 10 ran.
River Dragon (IRE) 50-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, 7th of 9, 16l behind Gulf of Naples (9-2) at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gs.
Valdan (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Stumbled and unseated rider start, in a race won by Soprano (9-8) at Carlisle 2m 1f ldy hcp 0-65 (6) gd, 13 ran.
Simple Jim (FR) 3-1fav (8-12) Mid-division, headway 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, nearest finish, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Petella (9-7) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Spruzzo 20-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 16, 34l behind Petella (9-7) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Terenzium (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Went 4th after 3f and off the pace, headway to 3rd over 1f out, kept on to 2nd last half furlong, plugged on, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Brasingaman Eric (10-6) at Carlisle 1m 6f am hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
Strikemaster (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway halfway, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon lost place, 6th of 10, 10l behind Zefooha (10-0) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
Spice Bar 5-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Soundbyte (9-8) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
Fantino 20-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 32l behind Plattsburgh (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
