led, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, headed final stride
in touch, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
always towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, no impression until rapid headway entering final furlong, ran on well to lead final stride
mid-division, lost place 2f out, soon behind
chased leader to 2f out, soon lost place
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
towards rear, headway 2f out, switched right inside final furlong, stayed on well, not reach leaders
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
chased leaders to over 1f out, soon weakened
behind, switched ouside and headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish
always behind
mid-division, lost place 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
This is another competitive handicap in which Celtic Thunder, Indian Spark and Ellens Academy are the leading lights and the vote is given to Ellens Academy. The selection ran a blinder from a poor draw at Thirsk last time when second behind Wanchai Lad. He is not ideally drawn again today but he will be suited by the step-up in trip and if he can reproduce that latest run here then he will be the one to beat. Celtic Thunder looks to be well-treated on the pick of his form and he was a good third behind Whinhill House at Thirsk last time. He has a decent draw here and if our selection disappoints then he could be the one to profit. India Spark will be suited by the return to 6f after putting in a creditable effort over the minimum trip when fourth behind Convince at Haydock. Paddywack is dropping down the handicap but is out of form at present, while Pieter Brueghel is closely-matched with our selection on a run from last year at York. However, Ellens Academy ran right up to his best last time and if he can do so again today he will be hard to beat.
Ellens Academy (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Behind far side, headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead group towards finish, 2nd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Wanchai Lad (8-11) at Thirsk 5f hcp (4) gf in May.
Northern Games 20-1 (8-9) Prominent, switched left over 4f out to chase leader, lost 2nd over 3f out, soon behind, 10th of 12, 19l behind Kostar (8-13) at W'hampton 6f stk (D2) pol in Dec.
Sierra Vista 10-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 2l behind Fruit of Glory (9-8) at Ripon 6f hcp (3) gf in May.
Million Percent 10-1 (9-6) Close up far side until weakened quickly over 1f out, 14th of 15, 11l behind Thurlestone Rock (9-5) at Windsor 6f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Hiccups 18-1 (8-11) Led far side group, ridden and headed well over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 17, 6l behind Raymond's Pride (9-0) at Ripon 6f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Celtic Thunder 6-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, effort 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Whinhill House (9-3) at Carlisle 5f hcp (4) frm in May.
Inter Vision (USA) 13-2 (8-4) Dwelt, behind stand side, not clear run over 2f out, ridden, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 19, 3l behind Wanchai Lad (8-11) at Thirsk 5f hcp (4) gf in May.
Indian Spark 5-1 (8-8) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 11, 1l behind Convince (9-2) at Haydock 5f app hcp (5) gf in May.
