slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace
behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
mid-division, lost place over 2f out
close up, led over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on well
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, not quicken
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace
held up, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
slowly into stride, behind, headway on inner over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner final furlong, stayed on inside final furlong, just held
always towards rear
held up, headway over 3f out, switched to race alone stand side over 2f out, kept on same pace
always behind
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place
mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
A really competitive handicap can go the way of course and distance winner Neon Blue ahead of High Ambition and Charlie Tipple. Richard Whitaker's charge has developed a love-affair with the Knavesmire, having recorded three of his five victories at the track and he comes here in fair form. Perhaps most significantly, the blinkers are dispensed with today and a visor is tried again (used for two victories to date). The stable are in fair form, and he gets the vote. In a field of this size, there are many dangers, perhaps the most obvious being the hat-trick seeking Joshua's Gold. Declan Carroll's gelding continues to pay his way and the narrow margin of his victories means that he escapes the full wrath of the handicapper. Zennerman has been threatening to land another win of late and Jamie Spencer takes the eye as a jockey booking, whilst High Ambition is consistent, relatively unexposed, and a threat. The handicapper continues to edge him up though so perhaps he needs some respite, and thus of more interest could be No Grouse who has a lowly mark of 58 but comes here in good nick. At a price Charlie Tipple could go well and should be monitored for market support, however Neon Blue gets the nod to record another York success.
Zennerman (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Behind, headway on inner well over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Mister Jingles (8-11) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
High Ambition 7-4jt-fav (9-9) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased winner 1f out, soon hung left, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Purus (9-5) at Brighton 7f hcap (5) frm in Jun.
King Harson 25-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 8l behind Robema (9-4) at Chester 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Aug.
Charlie Tipple 11-2 (8-10) Towards rear stand's side group, soon chased along, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Tombi (9-7) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Dispol Isle (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) In touch, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Pay Time (8-13) at Carlisle 7f fll hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Neon Blue 11-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, effort 2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Passion Fruit (9-10) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-80 (4) frm in Aug.
Grey Boy (GER) 11-2 (9-10) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 12th of 16, 13l behind Im Ova Ere Dad (9-6) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Joshua's Gold (IRE) 6-1 (9-12) In touch, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Ayr 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug beating Spinning (9-7) by a shd, 13 ran.
Sake (IRE) 22-1 (9-5) Close up centre, weakened over 2f out, 14th of 15, 18l behind Observatory Star (9-6) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Paraguay (USA) 14-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 5l behind Snark (11-5) at Goodwood 1m 1f amt hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 25-1 (8-7) In touch stands side, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 17, 14l behind Middlemarch (8-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Sedge (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, badly hampered entering final furlong, not recover, 9th of 11, 7l behind Mister Jingles (8-11) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Dorn Dancer (IRE) 18-1 (9-10) Towards rear, ridden halfway, stayed on final 2f, 6th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Plateau (9-8) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug.
Lincolneurocruiser 50-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden and headway well over 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 14, 4l behind Esoterica (9-0) at Redcar 7f app hcp (5) gf.
No Grouse 9-2fav (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway from over 1f out to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Musselburgh 7f hcp (6) gf beating Sarraaf (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Nufoudh (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Led, headed 3f out, soon ridden, one pace, 5th of 9, 2l behind John Keats (9-1) at Redcar 6f hcap (5) gf.
Aussie Blue (IRE) 8-1 (8-2) Went left start, pushed along and soon chasing leaders, hung right over 1f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Esoterica (9-0) at Redcar 7f app hcp (5) gf.
Pay Time 12-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 9th of 14, 6l behind Esoterica (9-0) at Redcar 7f app hcp (5) gf.
