in touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden halfway, soon beaten
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led over 5f, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, hung left, stayed on well
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, always behind
mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on, never trouble leaders
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up, never dangerous
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on under pressure
led until over 5f, remained prominent, one pace final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
slowly into stride, behind, kept on, no impression
behind, ridden and some headway over 2f out, soon beaten
Nonrunner
A chance is taken with Ragash, who edges the nomination over Warlingham and Sion Hill, who have both been in good form lately and can scrap it out as the best of the rest. Backlash is also respected and is worth monitoring for signs of each-way support after a couple of near misses of late. Sion Hill has long threatened to win a race and has shaped as if his turn is not too far away. However, his losing run now stretches to twenty and he is obviously not one to rely upon too heavily. Warlingham has held his form well during the last couple of months and gained just compensation when winning at Brighton earlier in the week. He likes this course and distance and looks sure to go close if he copes with a quick reappearance. However, there can be some valuable mileage to be gained out of siding with Ragash, whose form with the likes of Gem Bien ties in with several of today's rivals. The Ernst Oertel-trained seven-year-old is still unexposed on turf and, with there being little advantage in the draw at Yarmouth since the watering system was upgraded, Ragash has nothing to fear from being drawn in stall one. His task is also made easier by his rider's 7lb claim and the partnership are expected to give us a good run for the money at fair odds.
Warlingham (IRE) 12-1 In touch wide, chased leaders over 1f out, strong run to lead inside final furlong, drew clear near finish, won at Brighton 6f sll gf beating Stagnite by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Backlash 5-1 Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, every chance well inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 13, nk behind Desert Fury at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (H5) pol in Mar.
Burkees Graw (IRE) 50-1 Held up, ridden and headway when switched left over 1f out, kept on, 6th of 12, 7l behind Zafarshah at Southwell 7f sll gs.
Essex Star (IRE) 20-1 Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 14, 9l behind Shifty Night at Yarmouth 7f hcp gs in Mar.
Polar Haze 6-1 In touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 7l behind Zafarshah at Southwell 7f sll gs.
Ragasah 8-1 In touch, ridden over 3f out, ran inside final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Spark Up at W'hampton 7f stk pol.
Sion Hill (IRE) 11-1 Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, ran on, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Zafarshah at Southwell 7f sll gs.
Taiyo 16-1 Slowly into stride, in touch, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 14, 22l behind Shifty Night at Yarmouth 7f hcp gs in Mar.