rider removed blind late, slowly into stride, driven to hold place on stands side rail, led after 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
soon towards rear, headway when short of room and hampered approaching final furlong, ridden and stayed on towards finish
chased leader, hampered entering final 4f, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside furlong
dwelt, in rear, ridden and headway and edged left approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish
broke smartly, led 2f, remained with leaders, ridden to lead again and hung right from over 1f out, ridden out
mid-division, outpaced halfway, ridden and kept on final furlong
dwelt, ridden to be in touch, hampered entering final 4f, weakening when badly hampered and nearly unseated rider approaching final furlong
slowly away, in rear, soon ridden along, ran on strongly final furlong, nearest finish
with leaders after 2f, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, short of room and hampered entering final 4f, and again over 1f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and headway and hung right from over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong
slowly away in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, switched right approaching final furlong, kept on
This is a competitive finale in which we will side with top weight GRUDGE, while Toy Top and Kalhan Sands both have decent form next to their names and deserve respect. The selection has only scored once in his career to date but has shown signs that another win is just around the corner. He was not beaten far in his last two outings and looks weighted to go close again. Toy Top won at Thirsk back in June and has run well since. That said, he did disappoint on his latest outing and improvement will be needed. Kalhan Sands has not won for over two years, but he has now fallen over 20 pounds in the ratings as a result. His latest form reads well and if back to his best he is sure to make the frame. Grudge has conditions to suit and gets the vote to win the finale.
Grudge 20-1 (9-6) Led, pushed along 2f out, headed 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 10, nk behind Blessed Place (8-10) at Thirsk 5f app hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Kalhan Sands (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Prominent, raced keenly, ridden and edged right over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 18, 6l behind Just Sam (9-0) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jul.
Toy Top (USA) 15-2 (8-13) Awkward start, in rear, pushed along and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 6th of 10, 1/2l behind Blessed Place (8-10) at Thirsk 5f app hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Blazing Heights 9-1 (9-4) Awkward leaving stalls, always behind, 7th of 9, 8l behind Ingleby Star (9-12) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
Andrasta 16-1 (8-7) Towards rear, soon niggled along, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 6l behind Ingleby Star (9-2) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul.
Howards Tipple 7-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden and effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 11l behind Botham (9-2) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jul.
Just Joey 6-1 (8-13) Dwelt, soon pushed along to chase leaders, outpaced on stand rail and driven inside final 2f, kept on again inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 2l behind Joss Stick (9-0) at Brighton 5f (6) gf in Jul.
Fern House (IRE) 80-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, pulled hard in rear, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 9l behind Timber Treasure (9-3) at Carlisle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Blakeshall Diamond 20-1 (8-8) Never on terms, 7th of 9, 6l behind Berrymead (9-2) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jun.
Town And Gown 40-1 (8-7) Reared leaving stalls and always behind, last of 9, 13l behind Ingleby Star (9-12) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jul.
What A Fella 4-1 (8-4) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 9th of 13, 6l behind Theta Wave (9-4) at Ripon 5f 3yo sll hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Frisky Queen (IRE) 66-1 (8-9) Prominent, weakened from 2f out, 10th of 11, 28l behind Bean Uasal (9-0) at Naas 6f 3yo & 4yo mdn sft in Jul.
