in rear, ridden over 4f out and outpaced, kept on entering final furlong, never able to challenge
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 4f out, kept on from over 1f out, just got up for 4th
held up mid-division, headway on inside 4f out, went 2nd and switched left well over 1f out, soon ridden, led last 100 yards, kept on well
led, ridden over 2f out, headed last 100 yards, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, faded entering final furlong
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, challenged over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, pushed along towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden and switched left over 3f out, every chance and ridden over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
held up towards rear, weakening when hampered 2f out
chased leaders and keen, edged right over 1f out, faded final furlong
tracked leaders on outer, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place
tracked leader, pushed along 4f out, edged left 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, kept on on from over 1f out, never able to challenge
HIGHKINGOFIRELAND gets the nod ahead of Tropical Duke and Joinedupwriting in a race heavy on numbers but lacking in real quality. That said, each-way support for either Bid For Glory or Orpen Wide would also be noteworthy even though neither appears to be particularly well handicapped just now. Joinedupwriting is a course and distance winner that is likely to be a lot sharper after his reappearance last week. He seems impervious to the state of the ground and is one of the more reliable types for consideration. Having won or been placed in each of his last four starts, Tropical Duke also fits the profile of a consistent performer and cannot be ruled out at this level. Admittedly this is tougher than some of his recent assignments, so he does need to be at the top of his game. Tres Froide is also worth a mention, as she holds claims on the pick of her form posted at the back end of last season. Recent evidence isn't so compelling, though. All of which leads back to Highkingofireland, who is on a handy mark and, as he already holds the likes of Orpen Wide on recent evidence, the John Weymes-trained gelding has very little to find confirm his status as the best of this modest bunch.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 28-1 (8-1) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon one pace, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Bollin Dolly (8-8) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Steel Trade 33-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, behind, pushed along and weakened well over 2f out, 7th of 18, 8l behind Come And Go (9-4) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Northern Acres 10-1 (8-5) Led until over 3f out, soon rallied, weakened and edged left over 1f out, 7th of 10, 9l behind Sand Tiger (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Smirfy's Silver 20-1 (9-8) Chased leader, lost place over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 15, 40l behind Daaweitza (10-11) at Redcar 1m 2f ladies hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Joinedupwriting 11-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden to chase leading pair over 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, no impression with leading pair, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Fremen (9-9) at Musselburgh 1m 1f sell stks (6) gf.
Castlebury (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Stumbled and almost unseated rider leaving stalls, chased leaders, ridden and lost place well over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 5, 26l behind Diggeratt (8-5) at Redcar 1m clm stks (6) gf in Aug.
Paradise Walk 13-2 (9-5) Held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 6l behind Princess Flame (9-9) at Pontefract 1m 2f App hcp (5) gf in Sep '08.
Highkingofireland 6-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong to lead close home, headed last stride, 2nd of 15, hd behind Noah Jameel (8-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Tropical Duke (IRE) 2-1fav (9-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along and headway from 3f out, hung left from over 2f out, switched right well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Tres Froide (10-0) at Redcar 1m 2f lady am hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct.
Tres Froide (FR) 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, lost place over 6f out, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 14, 9l behind Royal Straight (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Avitus 16-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, headway from 3f out, chasing leaders over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 6l behind Noah Jameel (8-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Fabled Dancer (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Held up, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 9l behind Implication (8-12) at Newcastle 1m mdn stks (5) gs in Sep.
Highland Love 20-1 (8-10) Stumbled slightly start, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 15, 16l behind Noah Jameel (8-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Royal Composer (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Slowly away, always in rear, 11th of 12, 13l behind Black Dahlia (8-9) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.
Bid For Glory 11-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, well beaten when carried left over 1f out, 9th of 10, 18l behind King's Icon (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
