in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and kept on one pace final 2f
towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway under pressure approaching final furlong, no further progress
in touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on same pace
close up, one pace when not much room over 2f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, outpaced 3f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, outpaced 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression
prominent, every chance over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
held up in touch, headway to lead over 2f out, ridden out
This is another competitive handicap in which Top Mark, Frank Crow and Violent Velocity are all considered with the verdict going the way of Violent Velocity. John Quinn's 4-year-old ran well last time when chasing home Viva Volta at Newcastle over 7f. He gave the impression that his turn would not be far away that day, he has a good draw today and with the talented Neil Brown taking 5lbs off his back he looks a solid bet. Top Mark arrives here right on top of his game but all his best recent form is over a longer trip and he may be worth opposing over this distance. Frank Crow just got up to win by a neck at Mussleburgh last time and although he has place prospects again today, we think he will find it tough to score again under his penalty. A similar comment would apply to Spume, and we are happy to return to Violent Velocity who looks the value bet in the race.
Spume (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Held up, headway on outside over 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd beating Tencendur (9-3) by 2l, 8 ran.
Frank Crow 11-2 (9-1) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on well final furlong to lead close home, won at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft beating La Matanza (9-13) by a nk, 8 ran.
Zamalik (USA) 9-4fav (9-0) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 7th of 12, 6l behind Queen Noverre (8-12) at Redcar 7f mdn 0-70 (5) gd.
Violent Velocity (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Mid-division, headway on outer to chase leaders 3f out, chased winner 2f out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Viva Volta (9-13) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Crosby Vision 20-1 (8-13) Prominent, led after 2f, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Passion Fruit (9-10) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-80 (4) frm.
Titinius (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 4l behind Champain Sands (8-5) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Anthemion (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Led, ridden well over 2f out, soon headed and weakened, 9th of 10, 12l behind Greyfriars Abbey (8-5) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Waterloo Corner 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, outpaced 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Distiller (9-11) at Redcar 1m 2f mdn hcp (5) frm.
Scotty's Future (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Started slowly, always in rear, 13th of 15, 9l behind Bolton Hall (10-11) at Beverley 1m amt hcp (6) gd.
Howards Rocket 11-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 1l behind Primo Way (8-13) at Hamilton 1m clm (6) gs.
Moving Story 9-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden along halfway, soon beaten, last of 14, well behind Flighty Fellow (9-13) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jul.
Moheebb (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Behind, ridden over 3f out, good headway final furlong to lead close home and headed post, 2nd of 12, hd behind Mangano (8-1) at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp (6) sft.
Top Mark 9-4fav (9-7) Made all, challenge from 3f out, ridden and stayed on gamely, won at Nottingham 1m 2f app hcp (5) gf beating Gallego (8-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Coconut Queen (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Keen early, in touch, lost place over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 9l behind Spume (9-7) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Mandarin Rocket (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Held up, always towards rear, 9th of 12, 15l behind Mystical Ayr (9-8) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
