held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, soon ridden, just held on
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra towards finish
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, switched left over 2f out, ridden and not much room and switched left over 1f out, kept on towards finish, just held post
Dropped into this class BECKERMET makes plenty of appeal and can see off Fujin Dancer, while Stonehaugh and Honest Broker are others with claims. The selection has not won for almost three years and was previously good enough to land three Listed events. He goes on any ground and has taken a long time to go down two stones in the weights. Although he has not won over this far, he does stay the trip well and at these weights he should appreciate a task that looks a fair bit easier than recent handicaps, so we will side with him. Fujin Dancer may find this 7f a bit on the sharp side. He won at both Thirsk and Hamilton in the spring and after a spell of defeats he is slipping back down the ratings. He can go well, though has a bit to prove. Unlike the former pair Stonehaugh has done all of his winning over today's trip. He has as good a chance as most of the field, though all of his winning has come on fast ground, so he will want it to dry out a bit more. Honest Broker races over his optimum distance though has it to prove on turf and Beckermet won't get many better chances to return to pole position.
Crocodile Bay (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 6l behind Daring Dream (9-5) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Fujin Dancer (FR) 7-4 (9-13) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, every chance inside final furlong, kept on well, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Eijaaz (9-5) at Redcar 1m 2f clm stks (6) fm in Jul.
Spin Again (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, under pressure halfway, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 13l behind Glenridding (9-11) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Stonehaugh (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Seldom (9-2) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Beckermet (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, weakened soon after, 7th of 10, 12l behind Silver Rime (9-6) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Jul.
Mujahope 40-1 (8-8) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 14, 24l behind United Nations (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Dec '08.
Honest Broker (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) In rear, pushed along 3f out, never troubled leaders, 8th of 14, 6l behind Polish World (9-12) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
