chased leaders, switched left 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, driven out
held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway 2f out, switched left and went 3rd inside final furlong, kept on
prominent, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders, stayed on same pace
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, no real headway, never on terms
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, well beaten final 2f
took keen hold, led, hung right 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
always in rear, well behind over 3f out, tailed off
Nothing in this tight handicap jumps off the page so the verdict lands on the potentially well treated SPAVENTO over last time out scorer Prime Circle and Jim Goldie's Mr Lu. Having narrowly missed out at Thirsk two starts ago it was disappointing when the pick failed to build on that as favourite last time out. He ran better than the bare result suggests though and with him still really well-treated on the pick of his form it looks worth giving him another chance. Prime Circle wasn't stopping when besting Cardinal at Lingfield on his latest run. That form has some strength to it but an 8lbs mark rise looks harsh enough. Mr Lu looks the first string of Jim Goldie's pair in the line-up and he does have a good record at this track but after his last run he might be a little high in the weights. Stellite is the other Jim Goldie runner in the race and judging by a couple of his runs at this track in the past he is in with a chance off this mark. A really tight contest this but Spavento is looking light at the weights and is running well.
Signore Momento (IRE) 40-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 18l behind Tagseed (9-4) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Stellite 10-1 (7-13) Held up towards rear, switched left and headway 2f out, not much room, stayed on same pace, no impression on leaders, 4th of 8, 5l behind Celtic Sultan (9-6) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Mr Lu 3-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 7l behind Smalljohn (9-0) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Prime Circle 10-1 (9-8) Held up in rear on rail, switched right well over 1f out, strong run on rail from over 1f out, led final 100 yards, won going away, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-55 (6) gs in Jun beating Cardinal (9-6) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
Spavento (IRE) 7-2fav (8-13) Chased leaders, driven over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 7th of 13, 4l behind Feeling Fresh (9-1) at Chester 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Santiago Atitlan 50-1 (8-7) Held up mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 28l behind Keys of Cyprus (9-1) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Oct.
Barnstorm 14-1 (8-11) Went right start, prominent, took keen hold, hanging right 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 11, 7l behind Another Magic Man (9-0) at Chester 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Hosanna 16-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 16l behind Almaty Express (8-0) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Defi (IRE) 100-1 (7-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 38l behind Top Bid (8-6) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
