tracked leader, led over 9f out, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed on
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, never nearer
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
always in rear
close up, ridden 5f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to go 3rd 2f out, stayed on final furlong
ridden to lead, headed over 9f out, tracked leader, weakening when short of room and snatched up over 3f out
dwelt, in rear, headway on outer 4f out to chase leader, led 2f out, ridden out
mid-division, headway to 3rd over 3f out until ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
in rear, effort when hampered over 3f out, some headway 2f out, not trouble leaders
close up, ridden and hampered over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, headway over 1f out, not trouble leaders
held up, ridden 5f out, weakening when hampered over 3f out
Galiotto has live claims if the blinkers can help him to recapture the form that he showed earlier in the season but there's an element of doubt there and the rock-solid claims of HALLSTATT are preferred. John Mackie has a well handicapped gelding on his hands and Hallstatt proved his affinity for this track when chasing home Straversjoy thirteen days ago; he races from the same mark, the longer trip holds no fears and the booking of Paul Hanagan is the icing on the cake. Thief wasn't too far behind him last time when having his first start since May 2009 so he's entitled to improve for the run and is only lightly raced. This heat does have an open look to it though with Leyte Gulf, Resplendent Ace, Dazzling Begum and Rare Coincidence all capable of playing a role.
Aaman (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, led 8f out, headed 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 18l behind Touch of Style (9-1) at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Sep.
Simple Jim (FR) 3-1fav (10-0) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, never nearer, 4th of 14, 7l behind Danceintothelight (8-8) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Sep.
Hallstatt (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon hard driven, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Straversjoy (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.
Criterion 7-4fav (9-2) Held up in touch, reminders 7f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 8, 8l behind Charging Indian (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Jan.
Thief 16-1 (9-11) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon under pressure, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 7l behind Straversjoy (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.
Leyte Gulf (USA) 6-1 (9-12) Started very slowly, held up in rear, steady headway from over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep beating Motarjm (9-10) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Astronomical (IRE) 22-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out, 8th of 12, 10l behind Straversjoy (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.
Resplendent Ace (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 8, hd behind Bute Street (10-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
Galiotto (IRE) 10-3 (9-12) Reared start and slowly away, detached in last, closed over 3f out, not much room well over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 22l behind Jasmeno (9-5) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
Dazzling Begum 16-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway on wide outside over 2f out, soon every chance, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 7l behind Straversjoy (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.
Rare Coincidence 9-4fav (8-11) Led until over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Erdeli (8-13) at Wolverhampton 2m app hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Aug.
Tivers Song (USA) 14-1 (10-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, never on terms, 8th of 15, 9l behind Scarab (11-2) at Nottingham 1m 2f am hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Sep.
Stormin Heart (USA) 15-2 (8-4) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 5l behind Ours (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Nov '08.
