tracked leaders, under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
in touch, lost place over 1f out
behind, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
with leader, lost place over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace
steadied and switched right soon after start, held up, under pressure 2f out, eased entering final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never dangerous
led until over 2f out, soon lost place
led until over 2f out, soon lost place
in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway when not clear run over 1f out, never on terms
mid-division, lost place over 1f out
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, lost place over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, hung left, ran on
prominent, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
Copper Knight won this two years ago and looked to have a chance of a repeat here last week. He didn't disappoint though a 5lb rise puts him on his highest ever mark. Leodis Dream is unbeaten in five starts since his debut. He doesn't win by much but should make a bold bid to defy a 6lb rise for his latest victory at Chester. Duke Of Firenze has won eight races including two around here. He's won from much higher marks in the past and returned to form at Thirsk though this is tougher. A Momentofmadness is only 3lb higher than when landing the Portland at Doncaster and didn't enjoy heavy conditions at Chester last time. He's on the shortlist but the vote goes to EL ASTRONAUTE (NAP), the winner of a similar handicap here in August and of a Listed race in France on his final start in October.
Marnie James 50-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, pressing for 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, ran on, 3rd of 21, 1 1/4l behind Copper Knight (9-3) at York 5f hcp (2) gf in May.
Copper Knight (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Always prominent, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left and clear inside final furlong, ran on, won at York 5f hcp (2) gf in May beating Foolaad (9-1) by 1l, 21 ran.
El Astronaute (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Led, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 6th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Invincible Army (9-8) at York 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in May.
Gunmetal (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders centre, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 6 3/4l behind On The Warpath (9-3) at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) gd in May.
A Momentofmadness 8-11fav (9-7) Not much room steadied off heels and shuffled back over 4f out, switched right halfway, headway on outside over 1f out, soon ridden, one pace in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5l behind She Can Boogie (8-7) at Chester 5f stks (3) hvy in May.
Acqume (AUS) (9-0) 2nd of 15, hd behind Skate To Paris (8-10) at Eagle Farm 6f gd in Feb.
Koditime (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Mid-division stands side, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 19, 17 3/4l behind El Astronaute (9-6) at York 5f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Leodis Dream (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Raced wide, edged right throughout and not handle track, close up, headway to lead approaching final furlong, pushed out, won at Chester 5f hcp (2) gs in May beating Recon Mission (9-4) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Orvar (IRE) 28-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden and struggling over 2f out, 15th of 21, 6 3/4l behind Copper Knight (9-3) at York 5f hcp (2) gf in May.
Abel Handy (IRE) 13-2 (8-9) With leader early, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 14th of 21, 5 1/2l behind Copper Knight (9-3) at York 5f hcp (2) gf in May.
Lord Riddiford (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Raced wide in touch, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Merhoob (9-5) at Chester 5f hcp (2) gs in May.
Muscika 18-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders in far side group, led and overall leader from 2f out, ran on, won at Thirsk 6f hcp (3) gd in May beating Hyperfocus (9-1) by hd, 14 ran.
Eeh Bah Gum (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, driven over 1f out, effort over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 21, 1 3/4l behind Copper Knight (9-3) at York 5f hcp (2) gf in May.
Acclaim The Nation (IRE) 5-2 (9-6) Fly leapt start, led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Canford Bay (8-10) at Ripon 5f hcp (3) gs in May.
Holmeswood 10-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 14th of 21, 10 3/4l behind Soldier's Minute (8-9) at York 6f hcp (2) gf in May.
Dark Shot 20-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 21, 1 3/4l behind Copper Knight (9-3) at York 5f hcp (2) gf in May.
Duke Of Firenze 8-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon switched left, ran on well inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Thirsk 5f hcp (4) gd in May beating Lathom (8-12) by nk, 16 ran.
Harome (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 21, 4 1/2l behind Copper Knight (9-3) at York 5f hcp (2) gf in May.
Canford Bay (IRE) 2-1fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Ripon 5f hcp (3) gs in May beating Acclaim The Nation (9-6) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
