tracked leaders, switched left and ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, headway to chase leaders halfway, ridden and effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in rear, outpaced halfway, switched outside and ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
in touch on stands side rail, ridden to challenge and every chance well over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd well inside final furlong
chased leaders, lost place 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, driven over 2f out, lost place when not much room over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, headed over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, outpaced halfway, soon ridden, weakened 1f out
awkwardly away, behind, switched right towards stands side rail 3f out, driven over 2f out, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, led over 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
chased leaders on outside, ridden and effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong, no impression
CORNUS has been a revelation this term and is worth siding with once more, with Fuzzy Cat and Sea Crest rating the pick of the opposition. Alan McCabe's runner is nothing if not tough, having raced 11 times already this year, winning twice, and he holds his form well. Only 5lbs higher than the second of those victories, the eight-year-old remains fairly treated and should have his favoured conditions as was the case when third off this mark last time. Fuzzy Cat may well start favourite for this race having won over course and distance on his penultimate start. He disappointed backers when seeking to double up four days later and is now 6lbs higher, but perhaps that race came too soon and plenty will give him another chance following a break. Sea Crest has a bit to find with our selection on their meeting last time but she's less exposed and caught the eye at Catterick. That said, she is a maiden and the percentage call remains to oppose her. The History Man is a capable type when on song and has won off much higher marks in the past, so he's another worth a glance in a competitive race along with Milton Bradley's Ghost Dancer, although the latter has been rather in the doldrums of late. As with division one this handicap isn't easy to solve but Cornus has proved to be reliable enough this term and gets the vote.
Cornus 20-1 (8-6) Pulled hard, chased clear leader, under pressure over 2f out, soon one pace, 4th of 8, 2l behind Alfresco (8-7) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
Ghost Dancer 33-1 (9-4) Switched right soon after start, took keen hold towards rear, headway over 2f out, hung right and headway over 1f out, stayed on, no impression, 7th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Dvinsky (9-1) at Salisbury 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.
Connor's Choice 16-1 (9-3) Prominent, pushed along and lost place over 1f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 14l behind Dvinsky (9-1) at Salisbury 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.
Fuzzy Cat 5-6fav (8-8) Chased leaders, headway 2f out, ridden to challenge and every chance over 1f out, kept on until no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Sirjosh (8-0) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Sea Crest 7-2 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 11, 2l behind Cornus (9-2) at Catterick 6f app hcp (6) gf in Apr.
The History Man (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Chepstow 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May beating Nativity (8-7) by hd, 15 ran.
Lieutenant Pigeon 25-1 (8-11) Awkward leaving stalls, soon recovered to lead, ridden and headed 3f out, well there until no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 7l behind Rondeau (9-8) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jul.
Northumberland 40-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 13l behind Ellies Image (8-11) at Catterick 7f mdn stks 0-65 (6) gf in May.
Silver Hotspur 20-1 (8-10) Slowly away, took keen hold, always in rear, 11th of 12, 9l behind Spinning Ridge (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in May.
Exceedingly Good (IRE) 40-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 17, 11l behind Ridley Didley (8-11) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr.
Avoncreek 50-1 (8-1) Bumped leaving stalls, held up in rear, not clear run on inside from over 2f out until inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 7th of 11, 12l behind King Of Eden (8-11) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.
