always behind
mid-division, smooth headway over 2f out, shaken up to lead 1f out, driven clear inside final furlong, eased near finish, readily
slowly into stride, soon in touch, driven and outpaced over 2f out, one pace final 2f
missed break, always behind
mid-division, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f, never on terms
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace under pressure final furlong, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to go 2nd near finish, no impression with winner
led, headed over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
pressed leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on but not pace of winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong, no impression
towards rear, lost place 3f out, never dangerous
slowly into stride, mid-division, lost place over 2f out, never on terms
ASK DAN might just be capable of winning his first handicap here, while Cheers For Thea, Celtic Step and Social Rhythm are others short-listed. The last-named has trip and ground to suit, and looks on a competitive mark, but with the yard having a quiet time we will take him on. Celtic Step has been dropped 3lbs since a disappointing Thirsk effort and therefore has his best chance for some time at these weights today. However, he has struggled in handicaps for some time and has not won a race for over three-and-a-half years, so he is not too difficult to oppose. Cheers For Thea won three times over 9f at Wolverhampton between September and March and is clearly not as good as that on turf. Even so, with the yard going well, she could get heavily involved. Tropical Duke is much respected after winning two of his last four, and from a mark 5lbs higher than his latest win he should be bang there, but preference is just for Ask Dan. The Michael Dods inmate has a course and distance win to his name, and has conditions and trip to his liking. He has slipped to a good mark for this discipline and with the stable going well he might have enough to win tonight.
Final Salute 22-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, weakened 2f out, last of 15, 17l behind Averoo (8-4) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Cheers For Thea (IRE) 5-1fav (8-6) Towards rear, headway on outer to track leaders 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 16, 10l behind West End Lad (8-7) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
Prime Circle 100-1 (8-10) Dwelt, soon led, raced keenly, 5l clear halfway, headed 2f out soon weakened, 6th of 7, 18l behind Mr Freddy (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Social Rhythm 5-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2l behind On The Loose (8-10) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct.
Fathey (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) With leader, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Imperial Djay (9-1) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
George Adamson (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) In touch, effort to chase leader over 2f out, ridden and chance over 1f out, stayed on, not pace of winner final furlong, 2nd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Fujin Dancer (9-2) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Desert Hunter (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Dhhamaan (8-6) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Ask Dan (IRE) 3-1fav (8-13) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Sairaam (8-12) at Thirsk 7f hcp (6) gd.
Dean Iarracht (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, progress over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 7l behind So Bazaar (8-9) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gf.
Call Of Duty (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) In rear, headway on outer over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 9l behind Savaronola (10-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f am hcp 0-55 (6) pol.
Redwater River 5-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division on inside, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 8th of 13, 6l behind Sairaam (8-12) at Thirsk 7f hcp (6) gd.
Eyes Like A Hawk (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) In rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 10, 11l behind Dhhamaan (8-6) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Raise All In (IRE) 18-1 (9-8) Steadied in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened close home, 4th of 8, 4l behind My Flame (9-8) at Brighton 7f stks 0-55 (6) gf.
Tropical Duke (IRE) 2-1fav (9-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along and headway from 3f out, hung left from over 2f out, switched right well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Tres Froide (10-0) at Redcar 1m 2f lady am hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct.
Whispering Spirit (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden and effort on outside over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 12, 13l behind Sir George (9-5) at Catterick 7f clm stks (6) gs in Apr.
Celtic Step 25-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, one pace final 2f, 9th of 18, 9l behind Come And Go (9-4) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Cruise Control 20-1 (9-4) In touch, hard ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 12, 5l behind Straight Face (10-6) at Salisbury 7f ldy hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
