towards rear, ridden along and headway over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
started slowly and behind, ridden along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
in touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
made virtually all, quickened clear over 2f out, pushed out final furlong
prominent, effort halfway, weakened over 2f out
always rear division
chased leaders to halfway
mid-division, ridden along halfway, soon beaten
BARKASS is the pick on this occasion with Boundless Prospect and Clear Sailing likely to have their supporters. Barkass has proven a tough nut to crack in this grade and having shown winning form around this circuit, we expect him to land the hat-trick today. Boundless Prospect is better known over further but he handles a mile on the fibersand and won a handicap off a mark of 64 last time out. Clear Sailing has claims on the best of his turf form. He patently did not stay at Wolverhampton over further and is sensibly dropped back in trip. Black Falcon is a regular in this grade though his losing run has become somewhat alarming. Mount Usher ran a stinker last time out and is much better than that line of form suggests. Elusive Warrior is always dangerous if securing a soft early lead. Yakimov is a regular here and was set to take his chances at the course on Tuesday. Barkass looks best of the bunch amongst these old friends.
Barkass (UAE) 5-6fav (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, led 1f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Nov beating Keepsgettingbetter (8-11) by a nk, 12 ran.
Black Falcon (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Towards rear, ridden and headway 3f out, kept on under strong pressure, 5th of 12, 10l behind La Estrella (9-7) at Southwell 1m 3f clm (6) fbs.
Boundless Prospect (USA) 7-1 (8-13) Soon outpaced and ridden along, headway over 2f, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, kept on, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs beating Boss Hog (9-2) by 2l, 7 ran.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 6-4fav (9-4) In touch, effort when outpaced over 2f out, driven and stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Crocodile Bay (8-13) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs.
Yakimov (USA) 17-2 (9-0) Held up mid-division, headway to track leaders over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 12, 10l behind La Estrella (9-7) at Southwell 1m 3f clm (6) fbs.
Brutus Maximus 66-1 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed 4f out, weakened 3f out, 7th of 8, 38l behind La Estrella (9-13) at Southwell 1m 4f clm (6) fbs in Nov.
Clear Sailing 11-2 (8-11) In lead after 2f, headed over 2f out, 3rd entering straight, weakened, 5th of 11, 20l behind La Estrella (9-13) at W'hampton 1m 6f clm (6) pol in Nov.
Mount Usher 66-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, pulled hard and held up, ridden 3f out, weakend 2f out, last of 9, 10l behind Action Impact (9-4) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Siegfrieds Night (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, soon behind, last of 12, 38l behind Grey Samurai (10-2) at Beverley 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (6) hvy in Jul '07.
Bourbon Highball (IRE) 12-1 (7-11) Led, headed over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 10l behind Gala Casino Star (8-8) at Redcar 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.
Moorside Diamond 14-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, no extra when headed over 1f out, lost 2nd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Copper King (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
