held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, not much room inside final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, never on terms
held up, headway over 2f out, driven over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on same pace
prominent, ridden along over 5f out, soon behind
tracked leaders, switched right to lead on bit over 2f out, shaken up and quickened clear over 1f out, pushed out final furlong
mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden along over 3f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
towards rear, pushed along over 6f out, never troubled leaders
in touch, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
always rear division
led, headed 3f out, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden along and headway over 2f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden along over 5f out, soon beaten
towards rear, tailed off 5f out
towards rear, never dangerous
With almost half of the field set to race from out of the handicap, this is a race that will not live long in the memory; but Qaasi is fancied to enjoy a moment in the limelight: possibly with the most to fear from Court Of Appeal, Elite Land and Squirtle. The last named has made the frame in almost half of her career starts and has been a good friend to each-way punters. However, she has only a solitary victory to her name and needs everything to fall into place if she is going to add to her tally this evening. Elite Land won a seller at Ripon last month and has been kept busy since then. He has yet to really convince over this trip but, as he is a relentless galloper, he cannot be ruled out in this grade of competition. Court Of Appeal is a multiple winner at a variety of distances and is likely to be a popular choice. Top weight isn't a barrier at this level but his stamina will be tested to the limit. Therefore, is may be worth chancing a small investment on Qaasi, who has experience of this course and distance and, as he has very little to find in to get competitive, the Mel Brittain-trained gelding represents a fair betting proposition in a poor contest.
Court of Appeal 9-2 (10-5) Tracked leaders, led halfway, headed over 2f out, no chance with winner, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Master Nimbus (9-5) at Ripon 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (6) sft in Jun.
Bad Boy Al (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, challenged over 1f out, soon chasing winner, kept on, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 9, 8l behind La Vecchia Scuola (9-7) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcap (5) gf in Jun.
Qaasi (USA) 8-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, trying to close when not clear run on inside over 2f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 4l behind Fenners (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jun.
Park's Prodigy 7-2 (8-5) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 2nd of 11, 16l behind Legend Erry (9-6) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Into Action 50-1 (8-7) Prominent, ridden along over 4f out, soon beaten, 14th of 15, well behind Grizebeck (9-5) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Apr.
Squirtle (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Steadied start, mid-division, went 3rd over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Isa'af (8-11) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Chiff Chaff 16-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 30l behind Moonshine Beach (9-3) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jun.
Elite Land 9-2 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Black Falcon (9-5) at Beverley 1m 4f clm (6) gf in Jun.
Parchment (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 6l behind Silver Seeker (9-3) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-100 (6) gf in Jun.
Vice Admiral 4-1 (8-7) Led, chased along over 4f out, headed over 2f out, soon beaten, 9th of 10, 28l behind Cavendish (9-4) at Catterick 2m hcap (6) gd in May.
Firestorm (IRE) 40-1 (8-1) In touch, reminders over 4f out, soon beaten, 11th of 13, 27l behind Silver Seeker (9-3) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-100 (6) gf in Jun.
El Dee (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Towards rear, one pace final 2f, 5th of 10, 7l behind Mujamead (9-4) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb.
Pilca (FR) 9-2 (10-0) Dwelt, held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, stayed on, 7th of 13, 8l behind Peace Emblem (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn claim (H5) pol in Mar '05.
Finnegans Rainbow 33-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 11, 35l behind Master Nimbus (9-5) at Ripon 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (6) sft in Jun.
Gavanello 33-1 (8-7) With leader until led halfway, ridden and headed 5f out, weakened 4f out, last of 5, 38l behind Maria Antonia (8-9) at Southwell 1m 4f sll (6) fbs in Jan.
Monte Pattino (USA) 100-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 13, 39l behind Silver Seeker (9-3) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-100 (6) gf in Jun.
