raced keenly and soon led, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
steadied start, pulled hard in touch, hard driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, driven and effort over 2f out, soon one pace
prominent, hard driven over 2f out, soon lost place
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon hard driven to challenge, stayed on under pressure to lead inside final furlong
started very slowly, behind and detached, headway halfway, never on terms
with leader, every chance from well over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, weakened approaching final furlong
prominent, lost place over 2f out
behind, some headway over 2f out, soon weakened and eased
SOTO, Darcey and Hiccups comprise the shortlist, with preference being for Mick Easterby's gelding. Usually involved at the business end, he's not won for a couple of years. However in this sort of company he could come into his own, especially from a positive draw and the first time visor may bring about an upturn in fortune. Richard Fahey's Darcey is more lightly raced, and has found handicaps tough since losing her maiden tag at the second time of asking almost a year ago. In this sort of contest she should be on the premises again though. Hiccups is the only one to have a higher rating, but two places in 15 outings in the last years or so doesn't inspire much confidence, although again, he should be too good for many of them. It may not take too much winning, but we'll side with Soto.
Bentley 8-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 11l behind Paddy Bear (9-0) at Catterick 6f sell stks (6) gs in Jul.
Captain Royale (IRE) 50-1 (7-11) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 19, 5l behind Capone (8-13) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jul.
Fyodorovich (USA) 50-1 (9-2) Reared start, behind, switched right well over 1f out, never a factor, 10th of 17, 15l behind Ninth House (9-6) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jul.
Hiccups 3-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 5l behind Moody Tunes (9-4) at Carlisle 1m clm stks (6) gd in Jul.
Ice Planet 8-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders on outside, challenging entering final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Dream Express (9-5) at Ayr 6f clm stks (6) gd in Jul.
Recoil (IRE) 100-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 20l behind Moody Tunes (9-4) at Carlisle 1m clm stks (6) gd in Jul.
Sea Salt 17-2 (8-11) Tracked leaders, tracked leader over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Apollo Shark (9-11) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Secret Dubai (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 13l behind Mr Skipiton (9-6) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jul.
Soto 6-1 (9-3) Soon prominent, ridden over 2f out, lost any chance by hanging badly left inside final furlong, 4th of 18, 5l behind Just Sam (9-0) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jul.
Steel Blue 28-1 (8-10) Behind, ridden and one pace entering final furlong, 7th of 12, 6l behind Select Committee (8-11) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Frill A Minute 150-1 (8-4) Keen early, held up in touch, hard driven and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 14l behind Timber Treasure (9-3) at Carlisle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Darcey 6-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 19l behind Rafta (7-12) at Leicester 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Jul.
Mareva 25-1 (8-12) Held up, eased final 2f, virtually pulled up final furlong, last of 11, well behind Whispering Spirit (8-12) at Catterick 7f 3yo mdn aut (6) gs in Jul.
