led 1f, tracked leader, led 3f out, driven along and hung left from over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon no chance with winner, just held on for 2nd
started very slowly, rear, headway on inside and went close up over 3f out, driven and hung left over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in 5th, smooth headway 3f out to track leader on bit over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong
pushed along to lead after 1f, ridden and headed 3f out, hung left and weakened over 2f out
tracked leading trio, headway to 3rd over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, almost snatched 2nd, no chance with winner
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, effort on outside going well 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in 6th, headway on outside over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Simple Jim is of clear interest off a lovely racing weight but AKBABEND looked a shade unfortunate at Catterick and can gain compensation for connections. Mark Johnston's charge suffered a trouble passage despite only facing three rivals, with Joe Fanning having to ease his mount close home, and off the same mark he can boss these if taking to blinkers at the first time of asking. Simple Jim does look the one for the forecast with just 3lb extra to carry although this does represent a step up in grade and he'll need a strong pace to chase. For those seeking a bigger priced alternative, Kames Park has a decent turn of foot for the grade and Forrest Flyer is a versatile horse who just looks a shade high in the weights. Motafarred won over 1m4f as a three-year-old and could improve for stepping beyond that distance and is another who can run well.
Akbabend 2-1 (10-0) Led early, tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, lost 2nd place last 100 yards, staying on one pace when eased last 50 yards, 3rd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Bergonzi (9-11) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Kames Park (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Porgy (9-12) at York 1m 4f clm stks (4) gd in Jul.
Crocus Rose 8-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 30l behind Cotillion (9-0) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Motafarred (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Tracked leader on outer, ridden and lost place over 2f out, kept on same pace, weakened inside final furlong, last of 8, 16l behind Dabbers Ridge (9-1) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Forrest Flyer (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Tracked leader 2f, tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, driven to press winner from over 1f out, stayed on, always held, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Silent Lucidity (8-5) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Jul.
Hallstatt (IRE) 17-2 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, no impression from over 2f out, 3rd of 4, 20l behind Kazbow (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Simple Jim (FR) 11-4 (8-13) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway on outer over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul beating Dan's Heir (8-2) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
