mid-division, ridden over halfway, no impression
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, chased winner from over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden over halfway, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden halfway and kept on final furlong
tracked winner, ridden 2f out, soon challenged and one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
soon outpaced and behind, kept on final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, ridden over halfway, weakened final furlong
tracked winner, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
made all, ridden over 2f out, kept on well final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out ,soon weakened
mid-division, outpaced after 1f, soon ridden and never dangerous
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, weakened final furlong
A 10lb rise for winning at Haydock last time looks harsh for Raccoon but David Barron's gelding won with plenty in hand that day and, with further improvement anticipated, he gets the vote over Magic Glade and Mine Behind. The last mentioned has been running well without success since scoring at Windsor last month and has gone up 4lbs for finishing second behind Highland Warrior at Ayr last time. Recent Newmarket winner Moayed, Chester winner Ptarmigan Ridge and recent Windsor scorer Green Manalishi are others facing an unequal battle against the handicapper and a bigger threat may come from course and distance winner Magic Glade. Admittedly the handicapper has seen fit to raise the son of Magic Ring by 9lbs for that success but course form is a bonus here and, in his current vein of form, Magic Glade has to be respected. Milton Bradley's sprinters are always worth a second look so top weight Whitbarrow and the seven-year-olds Corridor Creeper and Salviati are worthy of a mention, while the Mark Tompkins-trained Connect has to be respected on the evidence of his reappearance second to the selection at Haydock. As we have said though, Racoon won with plenty in hand that day and is taken to follow up.