led, headed after 1f, remained in touch, switched right 2f out, driven to challenge and every chance entering final furlong, kept on, held
in touch, led over 2f out, driven and kept on gamely final furlong, held on
reared at start and behind, switched right and ran on to lead after 1f, headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, ridden along 4f out, headway 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, effort 3f out, weakened over 1f out
AKMAL is narrowly preferred here to Topolski, Geneva Geyser and Hey Up Dad. None of the small field can be ruled out, however recent winner Akmal may have the most improvment to come. John Dunlop's Selkirk gelding got off the mark at the sixth time of asking when succesful recently at Lingfield and he makes his handciap bow off a mark of 80 today. His dam is from a very high class family so connections will be hopeful that this first foal can improve on what we have seen to date. Also a recent winner is Geneva Geyser and James Eustace's One Cool Cat colt was very impressive as he seemed to revel in the step up in trip; further improvement may come today with an even longer trip tried. Hey Up Dad is open to improvement now tackling a quicker surface as although he has won on soft ground, he looked very uncomfortable in heavy ground last time at Haydock. Ruud Revenge is consistent and has a mark of 75 for this handicap bow; trainer Debbie Sanderson has started her career well and it would be no surprise to see him run a big race on his third start at the track. Topolski completes the line-up; he comes here after failing to complete a hat-trick nineteen days ago at York. He is bred to improve for this step up in trip so whilst it could be argued that the handicapper has got hold of him, it would be unwise to rule out further improvement. A tough handicap for punters but we will side with Akmal.
Topolski (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Led for 2f, chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, 12th of 16, 7l behind Barwell Bridge (9-5) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Akmal 15-8fav (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leader, ridden 2f out, led 1f out, ran on gamely, won at Lingfield 1m 3f mdn stks (5) gd in May beating Silvador (8-11) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Geneva Geyser (GER) 14-1 (8-9) Made virtually all, soon led, set strong gallop, quicken 2f out, ran on final furlong, won at Redcar 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May beating Stagecoach Jade (8-13) by 5l, 7 ran.
Ruud Revenge (USA) 8-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden over 4f out, driven to lead over 1f out, soon headed, no extra near finish, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Autumn Harvest (9-13) at Thirsk 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in May.
Hey Up Dad 3-1 (9-2) Held up, effort over 2f out, edged left, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 15l behind Open Sesame (9-7) at Haydock 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in May.
