tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, just failed to go 2nd
mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
very slowly away, always in rear
tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden clear, comfortable
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace from 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon outpaced by winner, tired inside final furlong, just held on to 2nd
Linda Perratt's King's Head has slipped down to a fair mark for handicaps after some below par efforts this term but he has plenty to find at the weights in this event in which it is hard to oppose SAND TIGER, who gets the vote with Shy Glance rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has struggled in two starts in handicaps since winning at Musselburgh in April but he has an obvious chance at the weights, judged by official BHA ratings, dropped into this claimer and gets the vote to resume winning ways. Jim Goldie's Graceful Descent has been holding her form well in recent starts in handicaps and is only marginally worse in with Sand Tiger than if this was a handicap so he has to be respected. Paul Midgley's Lava Steps should appreciate the return to the level having disappointed in a claiming hurdle last time but more solid claims are held by Peter Monteith's Shy Glance, who has not been running badly in handicaps of late and has every chance dropped into this company. The vote though goes the way of Sand Tiger, who has an obvious chance and he can give weight away to his rivals.
Sand Tiger (IRE) 33-1 (7-8) In touch, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 20l behind Fiery Lad (9-8) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
King's Head (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, hard ridden and effort over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 22l behind That'll Do Nicely (8-11) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
La Bacouetteuse (FR) 22-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 11, 22l behind Noble Scholar (11-10) at Hexham 2m NH flat (6) gs in Jun.
Claude Carter 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, blundered 1st, hit 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Ardesia (10-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jun, 9 ran.
Shy Glance (USA) 16-1 (9-7) In touch, lost place over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 16l behind Balwearie (8-2) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Lava Steps (USA) 18-1 (8-9) Dwelt badly, in rear, ridden and weakened over 4f out, last of 8, 48l behind Rare Ruby (9-9) at Nottingham 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Graceful Descent (FR) 9-1 (8-13) Tracked leader until over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 4l behind Sparkling Smile (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Why So Serious 66-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Lovey Dovey (11-1) at Hexham 2m NH flat (6) gs in Jun.
Wilmington 50-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon lost place, last of 12, 39l behind Oddsmaker (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sep.
Ballade de La Mer 25-1 (8-2) In touch, ridden and effort on inside to chase winner 4f out to over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Sovento (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 4f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jun.
Orpen Bid (IRE) 50-1 (8-7) In rear, effort 2f out, never dangerous, last of 7, 20l behind Fremen (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 4yo sell stks (6) gf in Jun '09.
