steadied soon after start and switched left to inside, in rear, headway after 2f out, led inside final furlong, soon in command
led early, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, every chance over 1f out, soon ridden and hung left, faded inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and lost place over 3f out, no danger after
held up, headway 1f out, never dangerous
stumbled start, always prominent, led over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, one pace
slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace
raced keenly, soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, wandered 1f out, kept on to take 2nd close home
slowly into stride, mid-division, struggling over 2f out
Tony The Tap isn't the most straightforward but he ran well last time out, however Methaaly can get the head back in front at the main expense of Le Masque. The stable's horses are hardly flying at present but the selection ran well in defeat last time out and from a fair draw here he should go well. The main problem is that he needs to be dropped out and held up towards the rear but if he finds the gaps late on, and gets the luck in running that he needs, then he is capable of recording his fifth career success. There are plenty of course and distance winners in the lineup, including Count Cougar who should appreciate a return to this surface having been bogged down in the mud at Beverley when last seen. Desert Opal wasn't beaten far last time out and looked as if a return to six furlongs may suit, whilst Peter Grayson's pair both have claims but are not the most consistent. Mafaheem won decisively over course and distance last time out but that was a claiming contest, whereas Le Masque is yet to win in ten starts but has run well in defeat and is not one to rule out. An open handicap, as is normally the case, and narrow preference is for Methaaly.
Tony The Tap 6-1 (9-3) Towards rear, plenty to do over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong to take 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Desperate Dan (9-4) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Count Cougar (USA) 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders to halfway, 14th of 15, 15l behind The History Man (9-5) at Beverley 5f hcap (6) hvy in Jul.
Desert Opal 14-1 (9-3) Behind, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Financial Times (9-4) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Mafaheem 15-2 (8-9) Held up, not clear run briefly over 2f out, switched left, good headway to lead over 1f out, ridden clear, won at W'hampton 6f clm (6) pol in Oct beating Rydal (9-9) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
River Kirov (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Very slowly away, good late progress, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Carcinetto (9-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Methaaly (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and ran on, just held, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Cerebus (8-9) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Tous Les Deux 15-2 (8-13) Slowly into stride, behind, kept on from over 1f out, no impression on leaders, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Hereford Boy (9-1) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Le Masque 11-2 (9-0) Led, headed over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 10, 8l behind Go On Green (9-3) at W'hampton 6f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Feb.
Nusoor (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Towards rear, effort and some progress 2f out, not sustained, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Sweet Pickle (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Strathmore (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Behind, ridden and hung left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Figaro Flyer (9-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Egyptian Lord 16-1 (9-0) Outpaced, always behind, last of 9, 8l behind Tartatartufata (9-3) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
