behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 8f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly
prominent, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on
in touch, ridden over 4f out, headway over 3f out, edged left over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on, no chance with winner
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up and keen, ridden and headway 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
Otranto looks ahead of the handicapper and looks the one to be on although Fort Churchill and Richtee are obvious dangers. The market spoke in the favour of Mark Johnston's colt 12 days ago and with the trainer's string in good form, it seems imprudent to oppose. Fort Churchill should be thereabouts from the start. A confirmed front-runner, he has optimum conditions and give another good account. Maneki Neko has been in good form since switching to flat racing but has now gone up the handicap. Great View is upped in class after a string of recent wins while Sporting Gesture iwon this last year and is accordingly watched in the market. Otranto looks the obvious choice on the formbook and we shall seek not to oppose.
Great View (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) In rear, headway over 3f out, led 2f out, ran on strongly final furlong, won at Epsom 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd beating Melvino (10-5) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Maneki Neko (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Made all, led, set steady pace, quickened over 3f out, hard driven and kept on gamely final furlong, won at Thirsk 1m 4f hcap (4) gf in Jun beating San Deng (8-8) by 1l, 7 ran.
Fort Churchill (IRE) 4-1 (9-9) Prominent, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, hard ridden final furlong, headed close home, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Our Teddy (10-1) at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Sporting Gesture 20-1 (9-4) Mid-division, outpaced over 1f out, never on terms, 7th of 16, 8l behind Cresta Gold (8-9) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Jun.
Motafarred (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 7, 18l behind Bronze Dancer (9-2) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Reluctant Suitor 3-1 (9-5) Held up, ridden over 3f out, not clear run over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Bronze Dancer (9-2) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Richtee (IRE) 11-4 (9-8) In touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Trick Or Treat (8-3) at Pontefract 1m 4f fll hcp (5) gf.
Leslingtaylor (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, kept on one pace final 2f, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Cottingham (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Otranto (USA) 5-2fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, led 2f out, edged right inside last, driven out, won at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) frm beating Major Magpie (9-6) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
