held up towards rear, switched outside and headway over 2f out, soon ridden, challenged inside final furlong, just held
mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, not reach leaders
mid-division, driven over 3f out, soon lost pace, weakened over 1f out
dwelt and behind, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression final furlong
always towards rear
chased leader to over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
Apache Point is the pick over Grand Terre, with Mount Hillaby, Boo and Byron Bay making for a tight-knit contest on paper. Nigel Tinkler has Apache Point in fine fettle at present, and his eight-year-old is taken to add to his recent victories, from out of the handicap at Newcastle and over 10 furlongs here last month. He remains well treated compared to his all-weather mark, and a look back through past form reveals that he has won on fast ground, despite seemingly preferring easier conditions. The ground factor means that he is no certainty, but he lines up in more form than most. His main rival from that point of view appears to be Grand Terre who is also chasing a third successive win. Richard Fahey's filly improved from landing a Beverley seller to follow up off a six-pound higher mark in a Ripon handicap seven days ago, emphasising the well being of her yard at present. Byron Bay nearly overcame a bad draw on his last visit, but had nothing left for the finish. He would have been more fancied with some cut in the ground. Boo's stable is flying now, while Mount Hillaby should not be left out despite topweight. Any money for him should be heeded, but in a trick affair, we return to Apache Point as the answer.
Mount Hillaby (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, lost touch over 4f out, soon ridden, headway from over 1f out, nearest finish, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Wahoo Sam (9-1) at Hamilton 1m stk 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Byron Bay 25-1 (8-13) Driven along to lead, clear halfway, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Society Music (8-4) at Ayr 1m 3yo hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Tony Tie 9-2 (8-13) Held up in touch, lost place 3f out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 8, 9l behind True Night (9-13) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Smooth Jazz 11-2 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Sonny Parkin (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Commitment Lecture 12-1 (9-3) Held up, effort over 3f out, kept on, one pace final furlong, 8th of 18, 3l behind Lobengula (7-13) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Adobe 14-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 12, 6l behind Grey Boy (9-3) at Nottingham 1m hcp (5) gd.
Grande Terre (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) In touch, headway 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden, stayed on final furlong, won at Ripon 1m hcp (5) gd beating Dara Mac (8-4) by 3l, 11 ran.
Boo 4-1 (8-13) In touch, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2l behind Cursum Perficio (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Anthemion (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Soon behind, 14th of 16, 34l behind Shifty (9-4) at Carlisle 1m app hcp (6) sft in May.
Apache Point (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) In touch, chased leaders halfway, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (6) gs in Jun beating Donna's Double (8-9) by 2l, 18 ran.
