mid-division, soon ridden along, driven over 1f, stayed on towards finish
always behind
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f, soon clear, eased inside final furlong
led, ridden along halfway, headed over 1f, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders to halfway
dwelt, towards rear, soon chased along, driven over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
always rear division
prominent, driven over 1f, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f
prominent, ridden halfway, driven and kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 2f, one pace final furlong
always rear division
never better than mid-division
Nonrunner
RUSSIAN ROCKET gets the vote in this handicap over the likes of Punching and Diminuto. The selection has been in great form of late and he was only beaten a neck by The Jobber at Yarmouth last time. He clearly loves it at Yarmouth as he had dead-heated previously at the same venue, but he has got course and distance winning form here as well and he should run a big race. Punching ran well on his return to handicap company last time at Goodwood when he finished a close third behind Bluebok. All his three career wins have come over the minimum trip though so over this slightly shorter trip he can be taken on. Diminuto is another who bounced back to form last time and a reproduction of that effort would make her competitive. Eric Alston's string are having a quiet spell so it is hard to get too excited about Invincible Lad and we will return to Russian Rocket as the pick.
King Of Swords (IRE) 22-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, nearest at finish, 5th of 19, 4l behind Haajes (9-5) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Russian Rocket (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Always prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind The Jobber (9-5) at Yarmouth 5f hcap (4) gd in Sept.
Invincible Lad (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 10l behind Grimes Faith (8-10) at Ayr 5f hcap (5) hvy in Sept.
Punching 8-1 (9-4) Raced on outside, led, ridden and headed final 70 yards, chased winner after, held when lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 11, nk behind Bluebok (8-12) at Goodwood 5f app hcp (5) gf.
Spoof Master (IRE) 4-1fav (9-3) Led, headed 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 6l behind The Cayterers (8-8) at Great Leighs 6f hcap (5) pol in Sept.
Miss Daawe 10-1 (8-4) Mid-division, stayed on over 1f out, nearest at finish, 4th of 19, 2 1/2l behind Haajes (9-5) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Weet A Surprise 20-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, towards rear, effort over 1f out, one pace, 9th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Mr Wolf (9-1) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sept.
Grand Palace (IRE) 28-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, no impression when edged left over 1f out, 8th of 12, 12l behind Chelsea Girl (8-8) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Diminuto 18-1 (8-3) Led until headed over 1f out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Hurricane Harriet (9-2) at Leicester 6f fll hcp (5) sft.
Spirit of Coniston 9-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, ridden and challenged 1f out, just held close home, 2nd of 14, nk behind Whozart (11-3) at Catterick 5f amt hcp (6) gd.
Blakeshall Quest 12-1 (9-8) Prominent until weakened quickly 2f out, 15th of 17, 19l behind Danjet (9-1) at Chepstow 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jul.
Kings College Boy 14-1 (8-13) Led stand's side, ridden and overall leader over 1f out, kept on until headed, no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, nk behind Guto (8-4) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-65 (6) hvy.
Nabeeda 20-1 (8-12) Chased leaders stand side, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 15, 2l behind Guto (8-4) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-65 (6) hvy.
Bishopbriggs (USA) 7-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 10th of 13, 8l behind Harlech Castle (9-0) at Nottingham 5f 3yo hcp (5) gs.
