held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out unable to quicken when not much room over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, switched left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, driven and kept on same pace inside final furlong
prominent, pushed along on outside 3f out, lost place over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, held up in rear, headway and switched left over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on
led until 2f out, switched left over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, kept on
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, lost place when not much room over 1f out
prominent, led 2f out, ridden and ran on well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
held up towards rear, not much room over 2f out, not clear run, switched right and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong
Indian Creak has won four times here, including three weeks ago, and couldn't handle heavy ground at Thirsk next time. HAYMAKER went up 10lb for scoring easily at Ffos Las in August but has gradually dropped back to a more manageable mark and ran very well on his reappearance at Newbury so gets the nod. Spanish Star gained the seventh victory of his career at Goodwood and, though now on his highest-ever mark, is unlikely to be far away again. Lethal Nymph completed an Ascot handicap double in better company than this in September and made a successful debut last season so should be winning again soon. Count Otto gained his 11th victory on Polytrack at Lingfield and is well up to winning this at his best.
Lethal Nymph 15-2 (9-3) Raced near side, off the pace and always towards rear, 16th of 19, 10 1/2l behind Strike Red (9-0) at York 6f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Watchya 25-1 (9-2) Midfield, pushed along over 3f out, kept on one paced inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Kimngrace (8-11) at Lingfield 5f lst stks (1) pol in Feb.
Blackrod 12-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 12th of 21, 7 1/2l behind Probe (8-9) at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) gs in May.
Spanish Star (IRE) 3-1fav (9-6) Held up, going well 2f out, ridden to lead final 100 yards, ran on well, won at Goodwood 6f hcp (3) gs in May beating Coup De Force (8-7) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Indian Creak (IRE) 5-4fav (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 5 1/2l behind It Just Takes Time (9-5) at Thirsk 6f hcp (3) hvy in May.
Bear Profit (IRE) 9-4fav (9-7) Mid-division, took closer order in 4th after 3f, 5th over 2f out, headway to 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Open Mind (9-5) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (3) pol in Sep.
Haymaker 10-1 (8-13) Close up, led over 2f out, ridden along over 1f out, soon headed, no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Bernardo O'Reilly (8-11) at Newbury 6f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Count Otto (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) Edged left start, pressed leader, led over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, held on gamely, won at Lingfield 6f hcp (3) pol in Mar beating Aberama Gold (9-3) by hd, 11 ran.
Zero Carbon (FR) 9-1 (9-7) Switched right start, in rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, never on terms, 6th of 11, 3 3/4l behind Spoof (9-9) at Ascot 5f hcp (4) gd in May.
May Sonic 22-1 (9-8) Towards rear, effort and switched left over 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 4l behind Badri (9-4) at Newcastle 5f hcp (3) pol in Mar.
