pulled hard in rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace under pressure
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on well to lead inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, weakened 2f out
towards rear, never dangerous
prominent, every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, pushed along halfway, soon ridden, no impression
missed break, towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, headway under pressure 2f out, no impression final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
A very competitive handicap in which we will side with APOLLO SHARK ahead of we're Delighted and Tiger Dream. The selection was a beaten favourite on his final start last season at Redcar but didn't lose much in defeat. His juvenile form suggested that this softer ground will be ok and it is interesting that Paul Mulrennan takes to the saddle where he could have ridden other horses in the race. Rabbit Fighter and Ancient Cross come here on the back of good all-weather performances, a comment that also applies to Tiger Dream. Kevin Ryan's runner is not to be ignored with Neil Brown worth his 3lb claim. We're Delighted is the only horse in the race to have won at the track and Tim Walford's runner must be considered, along with the returning pair of Ubenkor and Al Wasef. Narrow preference however is for Apollo Shark.
Navajo Joe (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, 6th of 9, 16l behind Elisiario (8-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Apr.
We're Delighted 8-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and edged left when headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Wovoka (8-8) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr.
Tiger Dream 9-2 (9-4) Hampered after 100 yards, held up in touch, driven and headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, soon edged left, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Punching (9-2) at Southwell 7f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Apr.
Celtic Lynn (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 14l behind Keys of Cyprus (9-3) at Ayr 7f hcap (5) hvy in Sep.
Dream Express (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Dwelt, always behind, 9th of 10, 6l behind Turn Me On (9-1) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Ubenkor (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened 2f out, 8th of 9, 21l behind Out Of Nothing (7-12) at Ayr 7f hcap (5) hvy in Nov.
Al Wasef (USA) 8-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 11l behind Kings Point (9-6) at Musselburgh 7f hcap (4) gf in Jun.
Sunnyside Tom (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, 12th of 15, 14l behind Bold Marc (9-3) at Catterick 7f hcap (5) gs in Oct.
Apollo Shark (IRE) 7-2fav (8-13) Chased leaders, stayed on final furlong, 7th of 20, 2 3/4l behind Strawberry Moon (9-2) at Redcar 7f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Rabbit Fighter (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Held up behind, headway 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Wolverhampton 6f am hcp (6) pol in Apr beating The History Man (10-12) by 2l, 13 ran.
Grey Command (USA) 15-2 (8-12) Prominent for 5f, 9th of 10, 45l behind Shaloo Diamond (9-0) at Beverley 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft in Sep.
Hippolytus 9-4fav (8-12) Led chasing group, headway over 2f out, ridden and lost 2nd 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Ceka Dancer (8-12) at Newcastle 1m 1f mdn stks 0-70 (5) gs in Aug.
Island Music (IRE) 10-1 (8-0) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Bourse (8-4) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcap (4) sft in Nov.
Moonage Daydream (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 17, 10l behind Pickering (8-7) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Ancient Cross 9-2 (8-13) Held up, outpaced over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on under pressure, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Punching (9-2) at Southwell 7f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Apr.
Infinity Bond 11-4 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out and gradually weakened, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Mr Lu (7-13) at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul.
