held up towards rear, always behind
led at good pace, ridden well over 2f out, headed over 2f out, driven and hung left to rail over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leading trio, went 3rd over 3f out, chased leader well over 1f out, ridden to lead just over 1f out, stayed on
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, staying on on inside when hampered clipped heels and stumbled badly over 1f out, soon eased, not recover
held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to chase leading pair just over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd close home, not able to reach winner
behind, headway over 1f out, staying on when not clear run and switched left well inside final furlong, kept on
in touch, driven along on outside 2f out, hung left and no extra inside final furlong
chased leading pair until ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, driven along and struggling over 3f out
chased leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and headed just over 1f out, chased winner but no impression, no extra and lost 2 places close home
slowly into stride took keen hold in rear, some late headway, never a factor
in rear, pushed along 6f out, some late modest headway, never a factor
Join Up is as consistent as they come and there really doesn't appear anything wrong with his attitude - the fact he wins rarely is more down to his consistency which allows the handicapper to keep him in check - but one win from 34 starts tells its own tale one way or another and we'll side instead with BIG SUR. A well-bred individual, our selection ran on strongly to take second at Yarmouth and he may just be getting the hang of things now, to the extent that we think he can win this off the same mark. Nicholas Pocock was backed as if defeat were out of the question at Newcastle but while many will be prepared to give this Stoute cast-off another chance there's no denying how disappointing he was and this is more competitive. Mr Chocolate Drop took advantage of a lowly turf mark when scoring at Redcar and may struggle here with Out Of Nothing and Kenyan Cat more compelling each-way alternatives in a low-grade handicap.
Bob Stock (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Towards rear on outside, ridden and struggling over 3f out, 10th of 12, 15l behind Whispering Spirit (9-10) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Jul.
Nicholas Pocock (IRE) 5-4fav (9-12) Chased leading trio, ridden along and one pace final 2f, 5th of 8, 12l behind Gadobout Dancer (8-0) at Newcastle 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Aussie Blue (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Held up, switched right and short lived effort 2f out, 8th of 12, 25l behind Denton (9-13) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Dancing Welcome 28-1 (9-6) In touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace approaching final furlong, weakened final furlong, 10th of 15, 11l behind Belle Park (8-9) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-55 (6) gs.
Mr Chocolate Drop (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well under pressure, won at Redcar 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fm in Jul beating Many Welcomes (8-12) by nk, 14 ran.
Kenyan Cat 12-1 (8-6) Dwelt, in rear, short lived effort over 3f out, 5th of 8, 10l behind Wild Rockette (8-11) at Yarmouth 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Join Up 2-1fav (9-4) Took keen hold, held up in touch in 5th, headway over 2f out, driven and hung left under pressure over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Love In The West (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Diamondgeezer Luke (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Mid-division on outside, ridden 3f out, hung right 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 15l behind Frontline Phantom (8-11) at Carlisle 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Big Sur 20-1 (9-1) Close up, ridden over 2f out, chased winner 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Cool Kitten (8-2) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Decree Absolute (USA) 33-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 18l behind Sovereignty (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Out Of Nothing 11-2 (8-4) Led ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Rebellious Spirit (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Athboy Auction 22-1 (8-5) Dwelt, always in rear, 11th of 12, 18l behind Colinca's Lad (8-1) at Yarmouth 7f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Naseby (USA) 10-1 (9-1) Led over 1f, chased leaders, pushed along halfway weakened quickly soon after, 8th of 13, 18l behind Bell's Ocean (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
