held up, effort over 5f out, headway over 3f out, every chance and hung left final furlong, one pace
behind, ridden and headway over 2f out and one pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, no impression final furlong
tracked leaders and keen, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, headway on inside over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, headed close home
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, ran on to lead close home
pushed along, mid-division, weakened over 1f out
Withdrawn
Withdrawn
McEldowney has been a shade disappointing in his last two starts but it may be too soon to give up on Mark Johnston's gelding and with Greg Fairley taking a valuable 3lbs off, he is preferred to Jake Black and Zalimar. The last mentioned had looked one to keep on the right side of but Luca Cumani's gelding was disappointing at Catterick last time when beaten by Merrymaker and is now 2lbs higher in the weights. Smart John is creeping up in the handicap despite not winning, while Sporting Gesture has claims on the pick of his form but is the mount of a very inexperienced rider. Pass The Port could probably do with some help from the handicapper and of more interest is John Quinn's Jake Black, who comes here on a hat-trick following wins at Pontefract and over course and distance. McEldowney has not run up to his best of late but it is interesting that Mark Johnston perseveres with him and the booking of Greg Fairley is a positive as he is able to claim 3lbs for riding for his own stable.
Sporting Gesture 10-1 (8-13) Held up in rear and keen, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, no impression, 4th of 7, 10l behind Tempsford (9-8) at Carlisle 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in Sept.
Sand And Stars (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 30l behind Hearthstead Wings (8-13) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept.
Higher State 9-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 13th of 17, 11l behind Jalldee (8-10) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Sept.
Zalimar (IRE) 7-4fav (8-9) Held up behind leaders, pushed along over 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Merrymaker (8-4) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Jake Black (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, easily, won at York 1m 4f amt hcp (4) gf in Aug beating Calatagan (10-11) by 6l, 10 ran.
Countrywide Luck 20-1 (8-7) Took keen hold, held up in rear, stayed on under pressure final 2f, 6th of 14, 6l behind Whirly Bird (9-2) at Newbury 1m 3f hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Smart John 6-1jt-fav (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Kindling (8-13) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (5) gs in Sept.
Stretton (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, never able to challenge, 7th of 15, 7l behind Merrymaker (8-4) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Tcherina (IRE) 11-1 (7-13) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 14, 14l behind Karlu (8-5) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Sept.
McEldowney 6-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 9l behind Oblique (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (3) gd in Sept.
Pass The Port 8-1 (9-9) Held up mid-division, ridden and no impression from 2f out, soon weakened and eased, 10th of 11, 16l behind Cristoforo (10-0) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Toldo (IRE) 8-1 (7-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, 4th of 7, 21l behind Hearthstead Wings (8-13) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept.
