tracked leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong
towards rear, no impression from over 1f out
towards rear, headway over 1f out, one pace
led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
held up in touch, one pace from over 2f out
mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
in rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
tracked leader, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up towards rear, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Now 1lb better off with Resplendent Ace after beating him here last month, Hits Only Cash looks a decent each-way shout here for Jeff Pearce, but for the win we will side with MOHAWK RIDGE, who may just have the race set up for him. With one or two who like to cut out the running, the Michael Dods-trained selection can do much better than on his only previous try over this trip and take the prize. He sees out a mile well in testing ground, conditions here are not quick, and he is very competitive on turf from this sort of mark. He does have to prove he handles the surface on his first try, but the step up in trip is a definite positive and we hope he can pick them all off from stall five. Like a number of these, Hits Only Cash has course winning form to his name, but he looks as though this trip might be stretching him just a little too much for the win, although he could manage a place in the frame. Resplendent Ace definitely possesses the stamina, having scored here over 1m 4f, and he did win from a higher mark last year, so he is not devoid of hope. Richard Whitaker's Nevada Desert is another who fits that bill, but he hasn't been quite so good this season after scoring off 75 last year, and a 4lbs rise for going close here last time doesn't make this easier. Top weight Snow Dancer is now 15lbs above his last winning mark, and has formed a habit of going up in the weights for running well in defeat, a fate that may again befall him tonight. Mohawk Ridge is the sporting suggestion.
Snow Dancer (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, not clear run on outside well over 1f out, good headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, chased winner towards finish, just held, 2nd of 11, hd behind Naheell (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Nevada Desert (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Keen, held up towards rear, headway entering final 2f, not clear run and switch right inside final furlong, ran on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Intersky Charm (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Resplendent Ace (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) In rear, headway over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Cape Marien (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Nassar (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Dwelt, always in rear, pushed along 3f out, soon outpaced, last of 7, 19l behind Florentia (9-1) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Ella Woodcock (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Held up, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Lujano (8-11) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep.
Hits Only Cash 14-1 (9-5) Held up, ridden and kept on from over 1f out, 10th of 14, 7l behind Blue Turk (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.
Mohawk Ridge 9-2fav (8-13) Held up mid-division, ridden 2f out, good headway over 1f out, soon edged left, kept on, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Pokfulham (8-1) at Ayr 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Sep.
Eightdaysaweek 16-1 (8-4) Tracked leader until 8f out, ridden 6f out, soon weakened, last of 4, well behind The Last Don (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Sep.
Womaniser (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) In touch, effort when not clear run well over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 4th of 13, 7l behind Cheers For Thea (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.
Park Melody (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Towards rear, struggling in last over 3f out, last of 14, 23l behind Rowan Tiger (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
Earmark 16-1 (8-13) Mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden in 8th 2f out, no extra and kept on one pace, 9th of 12, 8l behind Loveisthedrug (9-2) at Fairyhouse 7f stks sft in Jun.
Lyrical Intent 100-1 (9-0) Always behind, 10th of 13, 13l behind Cheers For Thea (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Sep.
Honkey Tonk Tony (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, soon no extra and weakened, 11th of 20, 8l behind Blue Law (9-6) at Naas 6f 3yo hcp gf in Jun '08.
