mid-division, lost place 3 out, soon behind
behind, ridden and outpaced 2 out, never dangerous
led, driven approaching 3 out, headed next, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway and in touch 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat
tracked leaders, lost place 6th, rallied after 3 out, kept on no impression
chased leader, lost place 4 out, weakened after 2 out
behind, headway after 2 out, ridden and kept on from last, no impression
held up behind, headway 3 out, ridden last, hung left and stayed on to go 2nd flat, no impression
tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, lost place 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, driven and headway 3 out, challenged next, ridden and no extra when lost 2nd flat
A competitive seller here and the main protagonists look to be Haile Salassie, Oh So Brave and Perfect Punch, and the narrow vote is given to the last named. The selection was a fair second behind Intergration last time out. Granted that was on softer ground but he also has form on a fast surface and with his yard in form he looks a value bet. Oh So Brave rates the main danger on his best form but the suspicion is he may just need the run after a 761-day break. Haile Salassie was second behind Sonic Anthem last time in similar grade but he has had plenty of chances and is becoming expensive to follow. Verstone has conditions to suit but disappointed last time out so can not be put forward with any confidence while Willie The Fish is from a shrewd yard and is worth a cautionary look in the market but for the winner we return to Perfect Punch who looks sure to run his race.
Arctic Cove 22-1 (11-2) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 15, well behind Mae Moss (9-11) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in May.
Little Task 14-1 (10-0) Held up, hit 3rd, always behind, 7th of 10, 45l behind Shady Baron (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Oh So Brave 13-8fav (10-12) Jumped right, led, headed 6th, remained prominent, ridden after 3 out, stayed on strongly flat to lead near finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (E) frm in Jul '05 beating Heather Lad (10-12) by a hd, 13 ran.
College City (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 35l behind Michaels Dream (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Willie The Fish (IRE) 17-2 (10-8) In touch, outpaced 12th, ridden and stayed on from 3 out, no impression, 4th of 17, 22l behind Old Noddy (10-3) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Perfect Punch 3-1 (10-9) In touch, outpaced after 3rd, kept on to chase winner run-in, no impression, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Integration (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (4) gs in Jun.
Haile Selassie 11-4 (10-10) Soon chasing leaders, tracked winner after 4th, ridden and no impression from 3 out, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Sonic Anthem (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Jul.
Court One 22-1 (11-7) Behind when refused in race won by Lazy Lena (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gs in Jun, 17 ran.
Simply St Lucia 10-1 (11-2) Prominent until ridden and lost place after 6th, 5th of 13, 27l behind Classi Maureen (9-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Jun.
Verstone (IRE) 7-2fav (10-12) In touch, effort after 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 12, 15l behind Andijan (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hdl (5) frm.
