led early, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
towards rear, ridden and weakened over 3f out, soon tailed off
dwelt, in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, led 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, ridden out
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, faded inside final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed 1f out, one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace
always towards rear
Plenty with claims in a competitive contest. Snow Bay has the ability on his day but it's a complete guess as to when that will be while Thirsk runner-up Mingun Bell is 6lb higher back on the all-weather. St Oswald has claims with an apprentice's allowance in his favour though the handicapper considers multiple course winner and recent Hamilton second, Alpha Tauri, is no-less than 30lb better on this surface though he did score by six lengths here in May. George Benjamin and Copperwood are others to consider but the vote goes to EASTERN HILLS, who scored over a shorter trip on this card last year but has won twice over C&D since and is back on a winning mark.
Snow Bay 20-1 (9-1) Raced wide, chased leaders, pushed along before halfway, weakened over 2f out, last of 19, 48l behind Sam Nombulist (8-8) at York 7f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Jun.
Point North (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, last of 7, 20l behind Beckermet (9-8) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-90 (3) hvy.
Mingun Bell (USA) 9-2 (9-6) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed post, 2nd of 10, ns behind Ingleby Exceed (9-3) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Jun.
St Oswald 13-2 (10-6) Mid-division, soon towards rear, never dangerous, 14th of 15, 20l behind Cyflymder (9-11) at Chester 1m ladies hcap (5) gs.
Alpha Tauri (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, smooth headway over 2f out, every chance 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Sovereign Street (10-0) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) sft.
George Benjamin 12-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 13l behind Ingleby Exceed (9-3) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Jun.
Eastern Hills 40-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders in 4th on outer, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 8, 11l behind Don't Call Me (9-12) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-95 (3) sft.
Copperwood 13-2 (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 22l behind Vito Volterra (9-12) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft.