prominent, ridden and headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong
mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 2f out, driven and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong
behind, pushed along over 3f out, some late headway, never reached challenging position
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on final furlong
always rear division
prominent, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, one pace until weakened final furlong
started slowly and behind, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
Not a bad handicap where quite a number have chances on their best and we will side with Nevada Desert to be too good for Tsaroxy, Hula Ballew and Aperitif. The selection is a c&d winner who likes is on the quick side of good. Richard Whitaker has been in decent form this summer and Nevada Desert is 3lb below his highest winning mark, so we will take him to make the most of a decent opportunity. Tsaroxy and Hula Ballew are also both c&d scorers. The former, in fact, has not won since doing so here in May last year, with a hike in the weights making life tricky. He is now back on the same mark, so he can't be ruled out however. Hula Ballew won twice in succession here during June, but has since been found out off this higher mark and it will probably be a similar story here. Aperitif was a 7f winner at Catterick last time, and has won off higher than this in the past, so Dandy Nicholls may fancy his chances of running up a sequence with the gelding, though we have our doubts and preference is for Nevada Desert.
Granston (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Took keen hold, soon tracking leader, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 17, 3l behind Hinterland (9-3) at Sandown 1m hcap (2) gf in Jul.
Mezuzah 25-1 (8-9) Led, ridden 2f out, staying on until headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Hartshead (9-9) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Hula Ballew 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Joseph Henry (9-5) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-85 (4) frm in Jul.
Tough Love 10-3 (9-7) Towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 8, 7l behind Phluke (10-0) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Wahoo Sam (USA) 14-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 18, 14l behind Illustrious Blue (9-4) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Aperitif 8-1 (8-5) Prominent, headway over 1f out, squeezed for room entering final furlong, ran on gamely to lead final 50 yards, kept on, won at Catterick 7f hcap (4) gf in May beating Grey Boy (8-9) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Nevada Desert (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Held up, headway over 1f out, every chance final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Apsara (8-11) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Queen's Composer (IRE) 11-4 (8-9) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1l behind Confide (8-11) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-85 (4) frm in Jul.