awkward start and pushed along early into mid-division, ridden 3f out and weakened, eased 1f out
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on but no impression
steadied in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden and went 3rd 1f out, stayed on well, not reach winner
held up in rear, pushed along and not clear run 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead well inside last
led at good pace, 5 lengths clear halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on, headed well inside last, no extra
chased leaders, pushed along halfway and soon beaten
prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
Boardman could not be in a richer seam of form and seeks a Class 2 three-timer. A rise of 7lb for his last two wins is not too bad and he's sure to be in the shake-up if maintaining his level. However, he does face useful opposition and LION TOWER appeals on the back of excellent runs in competitive handicaps at this track, albeit over a furlong further. Tactically versatile, this drop in trip may eke out a little improvement and he's been left on an unchanged mark too. Maywake is in fine form and seeks a four-timer after a course and distance success last time and is expected to be prominent again. Challet went well here last time too and is shortlisted.
Azano 25-1 (9-13) Edgy and on his toes, pulled very hard and always towards rear,, 10th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Boardman (9-6) at Chester 1m hcp (2) gd in May.
Boardman 11-8fav (9-6) Raced keenly tracking leading pair on inside, pushed along over 2f out, switched right turning in, stayed on to lead inside final 150 yards, won going away, won at Chester 1m hcp (2) gd in May beating Mykonos St John (8-8) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Young Fire (FR) 20-1 (8-10) Always in rear, 8th of 9, 11 3/4l behind Misty Grey (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Titan Rock 8-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear of mid-division, smooth headway over 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead towards finish, won going away, won at Ayr 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Asad (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Lion Tower (IRE) 13-2jfav (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 20, 2 1/4l behind Eilean Dubh (9-1) at York 1m hcp (3) gd in May.
Maywake 11-2 (9-9) Handy, pushed along and led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, faced strong challenge inside last, stayed on gamely, all out, won at York 7f hcp (4) gs in May beating Tamaska (9-4) by nk, 20 ran.
Challet (IRE) 6-1 (10-1) Led narrowly, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 18, 2l behind Il Bandito (10-0) at York 7f hcp (4) gd in May.
Mykonos St John 14-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, off the pace and always towards rear, 14th of 15, 12 1/2l behind Bowman (8-12) at Epsom 7f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Animal Instinct 16-1 (8-7) Chased leaders on outside, pushed along well over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 5 3/4l behind Boardman (9-3) at Thirsk 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
