mid-division, ridden 6th, soon beaten
in touch, ridden and weakened after 4 out
towards rear, ridden and some headway approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out
in touch, ridden 5th, weakened approaching next
led after 1st, headed after 7th and mistake and weakened quickly
lost touch from 6th, pulled up before 3 out
held up, ridden 7th, progress on inside approaching 3 out, ridden and kept on to lead flat
in rear, ridden and outpaced 7th, stayed on
in touch, led after 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, weakening when headed flat
mid-division, ridden 7th, close up last, weakening when pulled up flat, dismounted
towards rear, ridden and headway 4 out, held approaching last
led, headed after 1st, stayed prominent, ridden 3 out, one pace last
held up, never dangerous, mistake last
BANKSTAIR looks good enough to win this handicap with Benmadigan, Dan Maguire and For A Dancer all worthy of respect. The selection is still winless after eight races but he had been catching the eye of late and is improving with experience. He ran really well to finish second behind Massams Lane at Fontwell last time out and has been risen five pounds in the ratings for his troubles. He still looks potentially well handicapped and is sure to be in the shake up come the business end of the race. Benmadigan is eight pounds higher since winning at Market Rasen last time and a personal best effort will be required for him to gain success, while Dan Maguire caught the eye over course and distance when second behind Particle so any support in the market should be noted. For A Dancer is progressive and won on his handicap debut at Uttoxeter before finishing a good second off a nine pound higher mark last time out so is worth respecting. This is a competitive affair but for the winner we return to Bankstair.
Breakwater House (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway to track leaders approaching 2 out, effort between last 2, no extra flat, 5th of 11, 10l behind Longdale (10-9) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Sula's Legend 5-1 (11-9) In touch, reminders 3rd, ridden 9th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 7, well behind Battlefield (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Aspolan (GER) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in last, headway 7th, soon went 3rd going well, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 23l behind Monn Royal (11-4) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Beat The System 11-4 (11-12) In touch, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 12, 29l behind Prairie Spirit (11-1) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Mar.
Think Lucky 14-1 (11-0) Held up, effort approaching 7th, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 30l behind Sweet Seville (10-7) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs.
Pelennor (FR) 13-2 (10-12) Led, not fluent 3rd, headed when not fluent 5th, hanging left from 2 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression, lost 2nd, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Santia (11-5) at Worcester 2m hdl (4) sft.
Shield of Zeus (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) In touch, weakened 9th, beaten when blundered and almost unseated rider 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Pseudonym (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f 4yo Am hcp hdl (4) gf in May.
Benmadigan (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, led last, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd beating Maria Antonia (10-13) by 3l, 14 ran.
Semi Detached (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, hit 6th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 10, 27l behind Bret Maverick (10-5) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in May.
For A Dancer (IRE) 5-2fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, challenged 3 out, ridden to lead narrowly next, edged left and headed before last, no extra flat, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Calculaite (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf.
Bankstair (FR) 9-2 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden and effort after 6th, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd flat, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Massams Lane (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Stratford Stroller (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, shaken up and lost touch approaching 3 out, went modest 4th after last, never dangerous, 4th of 8, 25l behind Any Given Day (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Dan Maguire (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) In touch on outside, challenged 7th, every chance when hung left approaching 3 out, kept hanging, stayed on under pressure flat, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Particle (11-1) at Worcester 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Still Dreaming 16-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, mistake 7th, soon struggling, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Charles Street (10-3) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
