pulled hard, in touch, ridden and effort 3f out, outpaced final 2f
tracked leader, led 2f out, gradually drew clear from over 1f out, driven and ran on well final furlong
steadied start and lost 4 lengths, headway to 3rd after 2f, effort over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on one pace from over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, last after 2f, ridden and hanging right 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, nearest finish
in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders, soon outpaced
led, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong, no chance with winner
Thunder Gorge is given to vote to land this handicap which has attracted a disappointing field after a large entry. Although still a maiden Thunder Gorge has shown much improved form in his last two outings which were over a mile. His most recent outing was over this course only last Friday where he was never too far off the pace and was just overhauled by the eventual winner inside the final furlong. The form could well be suspect as there was quite a bit of bunching inside the closing stages with many failing to obtain clear passages but we know he is in good heart and remains on a attractive mark. Willow Dancer is climbing the weights and is now 9lb higher than his last winning mark. He has shown himself to be one that thinks about the job on hand, drifting under pressure and could be one to avoid for now. Yathreb was a lucky winner on his penultimate start as the second Mr Hichins threw the race away by running all over the course and went down by a head off an 8lb higher mark behind the exposed Ermine Grey at Chepstow last time. He has now received another 3lb for that second placing. Jo' Burg has tumbled down the ratings scale but it is hard to put this former smart juvenile up with any confidence on the evidence of recent form. Thunder George is selected to land this handicap.
Cape of Luck (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Behind in touch, effort 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, soon weakened and eased inside final furlong, 9th of 14, 10l behind The Fifth Member (9-10) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Willow Dancer (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, effort on inside to lead 2f out, hard driven and kept on final furlong, edged left well inside final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 13, hd behind Totally Focussed (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jun.
Jo'burg (USA) 12-1 (9-12) Held up and always in rear, last of 8, 17l behind Harald Bluetooth (9-1) at Newbury 1m hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Yathreb (USA) 15-8fav (9-6) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, every chance final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 8, hd behind Ermine Grey (8-10) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Sofia's Star 33-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, soon no chance, 9th of 13, 10l behind Totally Focussed (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jun.
Thunder Gorge (USA) 25-1 (8-11) Went right at start, chased leader, driven and every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken near finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Light From Mars (9-9) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Hucking Heist 9-2 (9-4) Held up 6th, ridden over 4f out, weakened and lost touch over 2f out, soon eased, tailed off, last of 7, 28l behind Rambling Light (8-13) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun.
