Despite reaching the age of 11, Mick Easterby's Sporting Gesture has kept his form well but the gelding may just be a shade high in the weights at present and may have to settle for minor honours behind SMARTERTHANUTHINK, who gets the vote with White Moss rated the pick of the remainder. The selection ran way below expectations at Doncaster when last seen in July. That run is best ignored as on earlier runs this season Richard Fahey's gelding has solid claims and it is interesting that he has been given a break since that outing on Town Moor. John Quinn's Leslingtaylor has shown decent form over fences this year and has to be respected on the pick of his form on the level, while Mister Fizzbomb should appreciate the better ground today having run below par on a soft surface at Beverley last time. Eijaaz has been running well but now seems in the grip of the handicapper and of more interest may be recent Beverley winner White Moss, although a 4lb rise since that success leaves him with more to do today. Smarterthanuthink has every chance on his best form and gets the vote to bounce back from his disappointing effort last time.
Fongs Gazelle 18-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, ridden and effort over 2f out, not quicken, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 5l behind Aypeeyes (10-9) at Newbury 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Leslingtaylor (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, 5th of 11, 12l behind Dzesmin (9-7) at Chester 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
Sporting Gesture 7-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden over 3f out, switched right and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong to take 2nd close home, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Master Nimbus (8-12) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcap (5) gf in Jul.
Cripsey Brook 12-1 (9-9) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 15, 13l behind Ha'penny Beacon (9-7) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct.
Celtic Strand (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Jumped left at start, soon in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 23l behind Nevada Desert (9-1) at Beverley 1m hcap (4) gf in Jul.
Eijaaz (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Held up, headway on inner 3f out, driven to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Lilac Moon (9-5) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Gulf Coast 9-4 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 11l behind Red Fama (9-4) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Aug.
Dar Es Salaam 11-1 (9-2) In touch, one pace from over 2f out, 5th of 10, 8l behind Deep Winter (8-6) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
Mister Fizzbomb (IRE) 9-1 (9-8) Led, headed after 1f, remained in touch until weakened final furlong, 4th of 6, 18l behind Red Fama (8-9) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Aug.
Overrule (USA) 18-1 (9-4) Held up, stayed on from over 2f out, never on terms, 4th of 11, 11l behind Dzesmin (9-7) at Chester 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
White Moss (IRE) 9-4fav (9-6) Held up in touch, headway 3f out, ridden to lead 1f out, driven out final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 2f app mdn hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Aug beating Jiminor Mack (8-4) by 1l, 8 ran.
Ovthenight (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Led, headed 7f out, driven over 5f out, lost place and eased final 3f, last of 8, well behind Rowan Rio (9-7) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) hvy in Jul.
Mister Maq 12-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 15l behind Malguru (9-9) at Newcastle 1m 2f app hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Smarterthanuthink (USA) 9-4fav (9-2) Led, headed over 3f out, soon beaten, last of 8, 26l behind Lilac Moon (9-5) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
