pressed leader, led narrowly over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra final 75 yards
raced keenly, tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong
held up behind, chased leaders 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leading pair, switched left and effort 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, always held
led, headed narrowly over 3f out, ridden 2f out, rallied inside final furlong to lead again final 75 yards, kept on
held up in rear, not clear run and switched right 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to chase leaders inside final furlong, no impression
Based on his maiden win last time out THE CONFESSOR looks well treated on his handicap bow so gets the call ahead of Starclass and Red Gulch. That maiden win for the pick came on his first run as a three-year-old and after a break so he should improve for it. He beat home plenty of subsequent winners that day including one that has gone on to win a handicap off a mark of 82 so his own rating of 77 looks light on his first run in these ranks. Starclass showed plenty of ability in maidens before a poor run when switched to handicaps last time and while a bad performance can be forgiven he now has it to prove with just 1lb removed. Red Gulch was only held a length in second off this mark last time so should go well again and Kurtanella can go close for a yard in form. Potentially a tricky end to the card but The Confessor might have been let in light.
Oil Strike 11-1 (8-10) Chased leading trio, driven to challenge and chance just over 1f out, stayed on but not pace of leading duo final 100 yards, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Kakatosi (8-8) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Haadeeth 20-1 (8-13) Held up in 8th, going well over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on same pace and no impression final furlong, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Kakatosi (8-8) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Kurtanella 6-1 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Naddwah (9-0) at Leicester 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Vanilla Rum 9-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden inside final 2f, hung left and kept on under pressure to chase leading pair inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Arteus (9-6) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Starclass 9-2fav (9-2) Mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 15, 4 1/2l behind First Post (8-6) at Newbury 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
The Confessor 13-2 (9-0) Raced stand side, made all, ridden over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, ran on, won at Salisbury 6f mdn stks (5) gs in May beating Blackdown Boy (8-11) by 1l, 13 ran.
Red Gulch 7-2 (9-4) Off the pace in 5th, closed over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, edged left, no impression, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Mejd (9-9) at Chester 1m 3yo app hcp 0-80 (4) gf.