close up on outside, led 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened towards finish
raced on stand rail, led 1f, with leaders until hung left from 3f out, not much room soon after, lost place halfway, soon behind
held up in touch, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, one pace and held when lost 2nd last strides
steadied start, held up, headway on outside 2f out, led 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ridden out
held up last, not clear run 2f out, switched left to outside and hampered well over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong to 2nd last strides, not able to reach winner
held up in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
with leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
with leaders, led after 1f, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
MASTA PLASTA has a good record fresh and can win this at the main expense of stablemate Buachaill Dona and Captain Dunne. A strong Sessay team for Mr Nicholls here and the top-weight is preferred as he drops in grade. His jockey is good value for his claim and with his ideal conditions he can add a sixth career win, his first since October 2008. Strike Up The Band is quick and a hard front-runner to pass when at his best however he has tended to need the run in the past, so of more interest could be course and distance winner Buachaill Dona who should strip fitter after a Thirsk spin and the drop in trip isn't a problem. Captain Dunne is very consistent and he is another speedy horse who won't lie down when tackled, Roker Park looks fairly handicapped at present, whilst Rebel Duke looks high enough in the weights. Master Rooney will win races this season but this looks quite a tough assignment for the four-year-old whilst Rasaman may just struggle from out of the handicap. This is a tough puzzle but it might pay to side with Masta Plasta.
Masta Plasta (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 12th of 15, 9l behind Exceptional Art (8-12) at Beverley 5f Listed stks (1) gf in Aug.
Strike Up The Band 9-2 (9-0) Led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final 1f, 4th of 8, 5l behind Rowe Park (9-5) at Southwell 5f stks (3) fbs in Oct.
Quest For Success (IRE) 15-8fav (9-1) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, soon beaten, 5th of 8, 7l behind Wi Dud (9-1) at Nottingham 5f cond Stakes (3) sft.
Buachaill Dona (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) With winner, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra and lost 2 places near finish, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Markab (9-0) at Thirsk 6f stks (2) gf.
Captain Dunne (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 7th of 20, 3l behind Kaldoun Kingdom (8-13) at York 6f hcp 105 (2) gd in Oct.
Roker Park (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong but not able to challenge, 9th of 28, 3l behind Advanced (8-12) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Red Cape (FR) 33-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, weakened well over 2f out, 17th of 18, 22l behind Servoca (8-6) at Doncaster 6f hcp 105 (2) gd in Oct.
The Nifty Fox 66-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 12th of 16, 10l behind Lenny Bee (8-8) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Master Rooney (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 7th of 16, 6l behind Lenny Bee (8-8) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Rebel Duke (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden, edged left and challenged over 1f out, stayed on same pace pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Wi Dud (9-1) at Nottingham 5f cond Stakes (3) sft.
Rasaman (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner briefly inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Luscivious (8-9) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
