chased leading trio, ridden along and one pace final 2f
hampered start, held up in touch, headway to challenge and hung badly left to far rail over 2f out, hard driven over 1f out, saddle slipped and rider lost irons final 100 yards, soon eased and not recover
with leader, pushed along halfway, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
reared and awkward start, held up, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on to 2nd final 100 yards, no impression
slightly hampered start, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, eased when no chance final furlong
awkward start, always in rear, lost touch 3f out, tailed off
went right start, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened soon after
made virtually all, ridden and in command final furlong, stayed on well
In a competitive finale a chance is taken on NICHOLAS POCOCK making a winning handicap debut at the expense of Carragold, Bell's Ocean and Vigano. Our selection is a half-brother to smart handicappers Sea Nymph and Tableau Vivant, both of whom rated a good deal higher than the mark of 60 handed to Nicholas Pocock. On the evidence of his efforts to date the mark is no more than fair but we're hoping the step up to a mile can see him in a different light. Carragold rates something of a threat as the only horse here to have been beaten less than ten lengths when last seen. The gelding is a maiden whose best form has come at Beverley but he's now a couple of pounds lower than when second last autumn and is less exposed than some. Bell's Ocean may just be feeling the effects of a busy spell but her Windsor effort in June off 65 reads well and she's now 10lbs lower, although it has to be said she basically looks a plater at best. Vigano needs a look in the market as an Irish raider in first-time headgear who has been found a particularly weak affair, Navajo Joe is down to a career low mark of 51, some 31lbs lower than the one he started with in handicaps, while Catcher Of Dreams is 4lbs higher than when second two starts back but this is a poor race and he could feature. This finale won't live long in the memory, unless of course you find the winner, and our idea of that horse is Nicholas Pocock.
Nicholas Pocock (IRE) 28-1 (9-10) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 20l behind Alkhataaf (9-3) at Doncaster 6f mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.
Vigano (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Slowly into stride and always behind, 13th of 15, 25l behind Cloud Fire (9-13) at Wexford 1m hcp 47-60 in Jul.
Carragold 8-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, driven along halfway, plugged on one pace final 2f, 7th of 11, 5l behind Saving Grace (8-4) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr.
Navajo Joe (IRE) 18-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders and keen, hampered over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 27l behind Carlitos Spirit (9-5) at Hamilton 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Jul.
Catcher Of Dreams (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Prominent, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 33l behind Tomintoul Star (9-0) at Southwell 1m mdn hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jul.
Rainbow Zest 16-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Bollin Freddie (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Labretella (IRE) 50-1 (8-6) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 24l behind Angelena Ballerina (8-6) at Leicester 1m 3yo sll (6) gf in Jul.
Gadobout Dancer 100-1 (7-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 12l behind Abbondanza (9-2) at Redcar 7f clm stks (5) gf in Jun.
Bell's Ocean (USA) 11-2 (8-11) Towards rear, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 17, 11l behind Emeralds Spirit (7-13) at Thirsk 1m 3yo sll hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
