towards rear, ridden over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, effort when switched left entering final furlong, never on terms
close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened and eased final furlong
in touch, pushed along 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong
dwelt in rear, pushed along halfway, never on terms
towards rear, never near leaders
made all, pushed along over 1f out, unchallenged
chase winner, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
COPPER KNIGHT has won this for the past two years and also scored again here and at Doncaster last season. He'll be tuned up for the hat-trick and was on a higher mark than this when landing a Listed race here in 2019. Raasel, unbeaten in his last five starts last season, landed a Class 2 handicap at Goodwood last month and, though 7lb higher, still appears to be on the upgrade. Nine-times winner Mountain Peak made a cracking comeback at Newbury, leading until the final strides, and has only been raised 1lb but Digital was only beaten a length in that latter event so also goes on the shortlist. Thirsk winner Reddy Freddie Go has yet to win at this level however. Jawwaal was twice beaten by the selection last summer, including in this last year, but has a big pull in the weights. Alligator Alley won a Listed race here as a juvenile and made a very encouraging debut for David O’Meara at Wolverhampton.
Good Effort (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Edged right start, prominent, led 5f out, headed over 1f out, held inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Bouttemont (9-5) at Newcastle 6f stks (2) pol in Apr.
Copper Knight (IRE) 28-1 (9-7) In touch, pushed along over 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Zarzyni (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Raasel 11-4fav (9-2) Held up in touch, headway under 2f out, slightly short of room and switched right over 1f out, closed well to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Goodwood 5f hcp (2) gd in Apr beating Clarendon House (9-7) by hd, 10 ran.
Bedford Flyer (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Dwelt, awkward stalls, soon chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, 7th of 8, 12 3/4l behind Ava Go Joe (8-5) at Ripon 5f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Mountain Peak 28-1 (9-1) Led, ridden over 1f out, hung right and ran on gamely inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Blue De Vega (9-1) at Newbury 5f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Jawwaal 4-1jfav (9-6) Steadied and stumbled start, held up in rear, headway between horses over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Mondammej (9-0) at Haydock 5f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Alligator Alley 20-1 (9-2) Steadied start, pulled hard and held up in last pair, pushed along halfway, headway on outside over 1f out, went 3rd towards finish, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Tone The Barone (9-6) at Wolverhampton 5f stks (3) pol in Mar.
Digital (IRE) 15-8jfav (8-12) Raced keenly, tracked leaders near side of group, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final 100 yards, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Blue De Vega (9-1) at Newbury 5f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Zargun (GER) 80-1 (9-3) Led for 1f, chased leader until over 2f out, weakened quickly and soon behind, 13th of 15, 14 3/4l behind King's Lynn (9-6) at Doncaster 6f lst stks (1) sft in Nov.
Ready Freddie Go (IRE) 9-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden under 2f out, headway to press leaders 1f out, ran on well to lead close home, won at Thirsk 5f hcp (3) gf in Apr beating Khabib (9-2) by shd, 12 ran.
Strong Power (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Held up behind leaders, pushed along halfway, switched right home turn, headway out wide over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Night On Earth (8-12) at Lingfield 5f hcp (2) pol in Apr.
Fine Wine (FR) 15-2 (9-8) Led near side, ridden 2f out, headed over 110 yards, no extra, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Candescence (9-2) at Hamilton 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
Mejthaam (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Went left start, raced wide close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Lipsink (9-7) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (4) pol in Sep.
