towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong
with leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, pushed along and saddle slipped and unseated rider over 1f out
pushed along to chase leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
towards rear, effort 2f out, kept on final furlong
always towards rear
mid-division, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well
behind, headway over 2f out, ridden and hampered over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
chased leaders in 4th, ridden and no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
NonRunner
This looks the weaker of the two divisions of this handicap. Few are proven on the surface but Dark Crystal is one and Linda Perratt's charge has won five times at the track. SAFE VOYAGE was a comfortable winner at Thirsk on his handicap debut and could find the improvement necessary to defy an 8lb rise. Bahamian Bird and Jay Kay were first and second in a course and distance handicap just over two weeks ago. There shouldn't be much between that pair again and both have claims. Vallarta never seems to run a bad race and Balance was placed at Newcastle on her first try beyond 6f and will handle the ground. American Hustle and Irish raider Mo Henry, yet another previous winner here, also warrant close inspection.
Vallarta (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, always well held, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Aprovado (9-2) at Redcar 6f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Jay Kay 9-2 (9-12) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed final strides, 2nd of 10, shd behind Bahamian Bird (8-8) at Ayr 7f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Comino (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 6 1/4l behind Run To The Hills (9-5) at Thirsk 7f hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Safe Voyage (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven clear, redily, won at Thirsk 6f hcp (5) gs in Jul beating Cuppatee (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Regal Response (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, never able to challenge, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 11 1/4l behind Glengarry (9-7) at Musselburgh 7f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Dark Crystal 40-1 (9-3) In rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor, last of 8, 11l behind Lincoln Rocks (9-6) at Hamilton 1m hcp fll (4) gf in Aug.
First Wheat 12-1 (9-6) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Nonno Giulio (9-11) at Redcar 7f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Balance 4-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, headway over 1f out, one pace and lost second place inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4 1/4l behind Gleaming Girl (9-11) at Newcastle 7f hcp fll (5) pol in Aug.
American Hustle (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Soundstrings (9-0) at Catterick 7f mdn fll stks (5) gs in Aug.
Connemera Queen 25-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, driven and lost place over 2f out, soon beaten, 9th of 10, 36 1/4l behind Gleaming Girl (9-11) at Newcastle 7f hcp fll (5) pol in Aug.
Mo Henry 13-2 (9-1) Took keen hold, held up in touch, headway on outside 2f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, hung left and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Specialv (9-4) at Ayr 6f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Bahamian Bird 7-1 (8-4) In touch in 5th, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon headed, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Depth Charge (9-7) at Carlisle 7f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Tectonic (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Crazy Tornado (8-13) at Carlisle 1m hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Charava (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 13 1/2l behind Dolphin Rock (9-5) at Carlisle 7f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
