soon with leaders, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
slow away, always behind
held up, headway on inner over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace, no impression
slowly into stride, soon pushed along, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and headway on inner 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
outpaced behind, headway well over 1f out, soon ridden, hung left inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish
in touch, effort on outer over 2f out, one pace final furlong, never dangerous
with leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Prime Recreation goes well here, has hit form at the right time and is fancied to hold off challenges from the like of Sharp Hat and Blue Moon Hitman, who are respected as the best of the rest. Blue Moon Hitman is back in his correct grade after failing to sparkle in low-grade handicaps a couple of months ago. He is better than he consented to show last time out and can go close in this lesser company. Sharp Hat needs no introduction and it came as little surprise that he defied his age by winning a similar contest at Kempton 20 days ago. He can usually be relied upon to string together a series of good efforts when he has hit form, so it would be folly to rule him out too quickly; despite the fact that he appears to have a bit to find with the selection. Rowanberry is another worth a mention, as she is still open to a fair bit of improvement. The market will be a good guide as to how much is anticipated from her reappearance run. However, Prime Recreation has no such fitness worries, likes the course and, as he is 25lb lower in the ratings than he was at this time last year, he has all the ticks in the right boxes for him to head the shortlist today.
Blue Moon Hitman (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Prominent, led over 3f out, ridden and headed halfway, weakened 1f out, 9th of 12, 7l behind Henry Tun (9-8) at W'hampton 5f sll (6) pol.
Edged In Gold 8-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 1f out, hung left and one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Henry Tun (9-8) at W'hampton 5f sll (6) pol.
Prime Recreation 12-1 (8-11) Broke well, soon switched right to rail, made all, ridden out, won at Kempton 5f banded stk (7) pol beating Forest Dane (9-0) by 1l, 12 ran.
Muktasb (USA) 11-2 (8-13) Raced wide, mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Prime Recreation (8-11) at Kempton 5f banded stk (7) pol.
Estoille 25-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 17, 22l behind Piccolo Prince (8-6) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-65 (6) hvy.
Rowanberry 7-2fav (9-1) Always behind, 9th of 17, 4l behind Amanda's Lad (8-13) at Leicester 5f banded stk (7) gd in Aug.
Sharp Hat 16-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, headway to chase leader over 1f out, soon ridden, led well inside final furlong, kept on, won at Southwell 5f banded stk (7) fbs beating Percy Douglas (8-13) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Valiant Romeo 25-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 9l behind Count Cougar (9-1) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.