towards rear, ridden, headway when switched right over 2f out, led well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
held up, headway on inner over 3f out, not much room over 2f out, faded inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up, ridden, headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong
with leaders, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, always towards rear
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, tailed off
led, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
with leaders, ridden every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on gamely
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
Top Dirham, Franksalot and Alfonso look the three to concentrate on and our vote is for Top Dirham. The eight year old would be much worse off with these rivals if it were a handicap and while his recent form has been nothing to write home about, the Mick Easterby string have been in good nick of late and it would be unsurprising to see him bounce back to form at this grade. Franksalot is a likeable individual and has won previously in the grade. An experiment with the blinkers seems to have been ditched and he should give another good account here. Alfonso does not find a great deal in a finish but as one of the higher rated horses, he has to be given consideration. Ian Semple won a claimer last week with a similar type and the market is accordingly inspected. Zendaro took a weak claimer at Musselburgh in a very modest time. There is plenty to prove here. Bellini Star's victory came at L'Anresse but he has found life tougher since returning to the mainland. Tom Forest is tried in first time cheekpieces and the market moves accordingly noted. Not too much strength in depth and Top Dirham makes most appeal.
Franksalot (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 15, 5l behind Hiccups (9-12) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Top Dirham 50-1 (9-1) Went left start, always behind, 16th of 17, 16l behind Chicken Soup (8-10) at Chester 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Zendaro 6-1 (9-4) In touch, keen early, ridden 3f out, led over 2f out, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 1m sll (6) gd beating Sawwaah (9-9) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Alfonso 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, every chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 6, 2l behind Confide (8-11) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-85 (4) frm in Jul.
Tom Forest 14-1 (9-9) Prominent, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 15, 7l behind Hiccups (9-12) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Ho Pang Yau 33-1 (7-7) Prominent, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 14th of 18, 10l behind Speedfit Free (8-13) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (E) gf in Aug '03.
Bellini Star 16-1 (7-13) Steadied start, always in rear, eased when beaten, 12th of 13, 16l behind Full Spate (9-13) at Chepstow 7f clm (6) gf in Jun.
Roman History (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway over 3f out to chase leaders, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 17l behind Zendaro (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m sll (6) gd.
