dwelt, held up and behind, smooth headway over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, soon edged left and no impression
prominent, ridden to chase winner well over 1f out, soon edged left, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out
in rear, ridden and effort on inside over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
always prominent, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on well
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 4f out
soon behind and pushed along, always in rear after
with leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway on outside over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no real progress final 2f
in rear, ridden over 4f out, never dangerous
This is yet another tricky handicap and Scottish River is given a narrow vote ahead of Band and Crusoe. The selection caught the eye at Southwell last time as he missed the kick but still managed to stay on well to take third behind Take It There. If he gets off on terms today he should make a bold bid. Band, a game winner at Nottingham earlier this month, wasn't disgraced here last time behind Happy As Larry and should be in the mix again this afternoon. Crusoe has been a bit hit and miss this season but has a chance on the pick of his form. Fantasy Defender may do best of the others, but if Scottish River keeps his mind on the job he should be there or thereabouts.
Scottish River (USA) 10-1 (11-3) Slowly into stride and behind, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Take It There (10-6) at Southwell 1m amt hcp (6) fbs.
Band 10-3jt-fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, lost place on inside over 3f out, no real danger after, 7th of 12, 4l behind Happy as Larry (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Princely Ted (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 8l behind Qaasi (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol.
Pop Music (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Prominent, left in lead 7f out, soon headed, ridden over 3f out, weaked over 2f out, 6th of 11, 7l behind Khun John (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol in Oct.
Crusoe (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Chased leaders and raced wide, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 14, 15l behind Formidable Will (9-0) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs.
Strife (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (9-0) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 15, 2l behind Maidford (8-13) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp (6) frm in Jun.
Fantasy Defender (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Stagnite (8-11) at Kempton 7f banded stk (7) pol.
Newcorp Lad 22-1 (9-1) Soon led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 16l behind Eccollo (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
