held up, headway after 5th, shortlived effort after 3 out, soon weakened
led until after 4th, chased winner until 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway to chase leaders after 4th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on approaching last
in touch until 4th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, lost place approaching 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
held up, headway after 4th to track leaders, led on bit after 3 out, ridden after next, headed last, no extra
with leader, led after 4th, ridden and headed after 3 out, rallied to lead approaching last, driven out
Nonrunner
Martin Pipe's New Currency and Nerys Dutfield's Convent Girl are less exposed than most of these and have to be respected but neither makes any great appeal against Zarakash, who has an obvious chance and gets the vote. The selection put a disappointing first performance in a handicap behind him with placed efforts at Market Rasen in his last two starts and, off a similar mark and low racing weight, Jonjo O'Neill's gelding looks worth another chance under Tony McCoy. Jimmy Frost's Brochrua won a claimer over course and distance in May and was not disgraced back in a handicap at Towcester later that month. He makes more appeal than David Gandolfo's Percipient, who is now 8lbs higher than when scoring at Towcester last time. Course and distance winner Gemini Dancer was well held off his new mark at Worcester last time and of more interest may be Leopold, who has run with credit in non-handicaps of late and has to be respected back in this grade. Hamadeenah probably needs some more help from the handicapper and preference is for Zarakash, who is taken to gain due reward for his recent consistency.
Hamadeenah 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, driven from 4th, soon behind, 11th of 17, 23l behind Ressource (9-9) at Stratford 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in May.
Gemini Dancer 14-1 (10-6) Held up and keen, headway 6th, not fluent last 2, hung left and weakened flat, 4th of 13, 7l behind Schapiro (11-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) gf in Jun.
New Currency (USA) 10-1 (10-12) Prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching next, soon weakened, 12th of 18, 17l behind Qabas (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in May.
Convent Girl (IRE) 12-1 (10-2) Held up, headway approaching 5th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no chance from next, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Buena Vista (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gf in Jun.
Zarakash (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, led last 75 yards, headed near finish, 2nd of 16, nk behind General Smith (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf.
Brochrua (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) In touch, ridden after 3 out, ran on flat, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Naked Oat (11-4) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf in May.
Leopold (SLO) 14-1 (10-9) Prominent, raced keen, disputed lead 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 15, 7l behind Rajam (10-5) at Perth 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Jun.
Percipient 13-2 (10-12) Always prominent, led flat, driven out, won at Worcester 2m nov clm hdl (F) gd in Jun beating Princess Pea (10-3) by 3l, 14 ran.
