soon towards rear, stayed on final 2f
with leaders, led centre group 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
with leaders, faded inside final furlong
reared start, always well behind
slowly into stride, towards rear, stayed on final 2f
mid-division, weakened over 2f
chased leaders 2f
behind, effort when hampered over 1f out, edged right and no impression
chased leaders, weakened and hampered over 1f out
with leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on
chased leaders, ridden and not much room, switched left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no chance with winner
led centre group, headed 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, outpaced, stayed on final 2f
close up and raced alone stand side, led over all 2f out, clear over 1f out, kept on well
slowly into stride, always behind
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final fulrong
with leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out then soon edged right
behind stayed on final 2f
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on
My Gacho, Royal Challenge and Knot In Wood look the three to concentrate on in this handicap and the vote is given to Knot In Wood. The selection is on a handy mark at present and he finished a close third behind Mr Wolf at Catterick last time. He looks as though he is ready to take his turn and with this fast ground to his liking he is our confident choice. My Gacho won his first race on turf at Haydock last time and his trainer has made it clear that he is best on a fast surface. He is not one to go overboard about he has an obvious chance. Royal Challenge won well at Windsor last time but he did have the run of the race that day and he will again need things to drop right if he is to trouble the judge. Trojan Flight has been in decent form but often flatters to deceive, while Soto is from a shrewd yard and is worth noting in the market. However, we are happy to stick with Knot In Wood as our choice to lead them home.
Royal Challenge 10-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, not clear run on rails from 2f out until got through over 1f out, led, edged left inside final furlong, driven out, won at Windsor 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf beating Border Music (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Steel Blue 25-1 (8-5) Towards rear, driven halfway, some late headway, never near to challenge, 6th of 11, 7l behind Imperialistic (7-13) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
High Ridge 9-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 16, 5l behind Royal Challenge (9-3) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
My Gacho (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Held up behind leaders, driven to lead over 1f out, ridden and edged left under pressure, kept on final furlong, won at Haydock 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Lake Garda (9-3) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Paris Bell 6-1 (8-12) Started slowly, always behind, 8th of 9, 7l behind Mr Wolf (9-3) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Loaderfun (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Prominent, chased along over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Divine Spirit (8-4) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Currency 33-1 (9-6) Never a factor, 9th of 15, 5l behind Adantino (8-6) at Bath 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Trojan Flight 4-1fav (8-8) Held up, driven and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 9, 3/4l behind Mr Wolf (9-3) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Danzig River (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Chased leaders over 3f, last of 18, 36l behind Exmoor (8-8) at Newbury 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Knot In Wood (IRE) 15-2 (8-9) Held up, pushed along when outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Mr Wolf (9-3) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Oranmore Castle (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway, switched outside 2f out, driven, every chance approaching final furlong, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Royal Challenge (9-3) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Ashes (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Kings College Boy (9-9) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Indian Spark 12-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 10, 7l behind Commando Scott (9-2) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-90 (3) sft in May.
Blackheath (IRE) 11-2 (8-3) Tracked leader, driven over 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 3/4l behind Mr Wolf (9-3) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Bold Haze 33-1 (7-12) Switched to race stand's side, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 18, 16l behind Raymond's Pride (8-12) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Oct.
Soto 4-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden, every chance 3f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 2l behind The Osteopath (8-10) at Ayr 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Distant Times 8-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden 2f out, edged left and weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 16, 6l behind My Gacho (9-4) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
No Grouse 16-1 (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 16, 2l behind My Gacho (9-4) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Navigation (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Namir (8-13) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Petite Mac 16-1 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden and headway to lead 1f out, soon clear, won at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in May beating Compton Classic (8-9) by 4l, 16 ran.
