mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
tracked leader, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, headed, no extra final 100 yards
in touch, ridden 2f out, soon lost place
tracked leaders, ridden, effort over 1f out, not quicken final furlong
behind, not clear run, switched outside over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish
behind, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well, not reached leaders
chased leaders to 2f out, soon lost place
always towards rear
raced keenly, soon led, headed well over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened
tracked leaders, not clear run well over 1f out, ridden, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on well to lead final 100 yards
behind, pushed along 3f out, never dangerous
mid-division, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, no impression
A tough handicap can go to the hat-trick seeking Flash Ram, who is just preferred over Son Of Thunder, Uhuru Peak and African Sahara, who all arrive here with solid claims. The last named ran a blinder to finish third in the Carlisle Bell last week and should not be underestimated despite being set to carry top weight. The six-year-old has won off a 4lb higher mark in the past and, as he acts well on the predicted going, he will be a big threat to them all. The same has to be said of Uhuru Peak, who is also chasing a three-timer. However, it was a weak race that he won at Warwick nine days ago and, as he needs to prove that a mile is ideal for him in this stiffer company, he looks a risky proposition. Son Of Thunder is a lightly raced four-year-old that has taken a long while to mature mentally. He has got his act together well at the moment but, as there is a suspicion that he is better going right-handed, he could be vulnerable today. Therefore, we go with Flash Ram, who, despite being speedily-bred, gets a mile well. Tim Easterby's charge is proving to be a versatile character and the 7lb rise in the weights looks fair after his latest runaway success. That Carlisle effort created the impression that the handicapper still has a way to go before getting his measure and Flash Ram looks more than capable of going in again whilst he is in such obvious good heart.
African Sahara (USA) 40-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden, effort over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Hartshead (9-9) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Our Teddy (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Never better than mid-division, 8th of 14, 9l behind Flotta (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (4) gf.
Flash Ram 5-1jt-fav (9-7) Mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 1m hcp (5) gs beating Hula Ballew (9-5) by 4l, 12 ran.
Low Cloud 5-2fav (9-4) Held up, headway over 1f out, ridden one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Love In Seattle (9-4) at Beverley 1m stk 0-70 (5) gf.
Latif (USA) 9-1 (9-7) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened 1f out, 4th of 6, 8l behind Golden Grimshaw (8-9) at Chester 1m 2f mdn stk (4) gd.
Son of Thunder (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp (5) frm in May beating Moonfleet (7-12) by 2l, 9 ran.
Uhuru Peak 14-1 (11-5) Held up, headway and slightly bumped 2f out, soon edged left, ran on inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Warwick 1m amt hcp (6) gf beating Lord Chamberlain (11-2) by 1l, 17 ran.
Red River Rock (IRE) 80-1 (9-0) With leaders, ridden and lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 17, 11l behind Flash Ram (9-2) at Newcastle 1m hcp (5) gd.
Etoile Russe (IRE) 50-1 (8-6) Dwelt, towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 7l behind Brace of Doves (8-8) at Redcar 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Along The Nile 12-1 (8-4) Mid-division, headway and not clear run 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well inside final furlong, never near leaders, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Celticello (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd.
El Rey Royale 18-1 (8-4) Held up, keen, headway over 3f out, one pace when not much room inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 6l behind Good Investment (7-13) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo app hcp (5) gf.
Burnley Al (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Held up mid-division, headway 3f out, not clear run over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 16, 1l behind La Bella Grande (9-5) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd.
