It was heavy going when Groundworker won this last year but he finished a long way behind runner-up Lydiate Lady here last time. MECCA’S HOT STEPS has yet to win but has been thereabouts recently and gets the vote on a close-up third over track and trip in June. Shesadabber missed out on a hat-trick off today’s mark at Ayr last month but today’s softer going will suit while Ventura Express is less exposed than Wade's Magic, a losing favourite at Wolverhampton earlier in the week.
Major Pusey 5-2fav (8-12) Soon outpaced in rear, some headway on inside halfway, struggling and weakened inside final 2f, 7th of 8, 13 1/2l behind Michaels Choice (8-12) at Brighton 5f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Mecca's Hot Steps 10-3 (9-0) Behind leaders, switched left and ridden over 2f out, ran on from over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Spring Bloom (9-5) at Thirsk 5f stks (5) gf in Aug.
Ventura Express 13-8fav (9-7) Dwelt and went right start, soon chasing leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden and lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Mr Wagyu (10-0) at Ayr 6f hcp (6) sft in Jul.
Wade's Magic Evensfav (9-7) Held up in rear, switched right and ridden 2f out, ran on well inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Capla Spirit (9-10) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Aug.
Lydiate Lady 10-1 (9-9) Tracked winner stand side, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Lady Celia (9-1) at Hamilton 5f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Rose Bandit (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Raced near side of group, chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened soon after, last of 12, 11l behind Dick Datchery (9-8) at Ayr 6f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Shesadabber 15-2 (9-4) Prominent, lost 2nd over 2f out, driven over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Pavers Pride (9-7) at Ayr 5f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Groundworker (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Taken to post early, pressed leader centre, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 12 1/4l behind Lady Celia (9-1) at Hamilton 5f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Nellie French (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, behind most of way, 8th of 10, 7 1/4l behind Mr Wagyu (10-0) at Ayr 6f hcp (6) sft in Jul.
Trulove 14-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Hawk In The Sky (9-5) at Catterick 5f hcp (6) hvy in Oct.
Beignet (IRE) 22-1 (9-3) Bumped start, held up towards rear, well beaten over 1f out, 13th of 14, 18 1/4l behind Gorgeous Gobolina (9-7) at Musselburgh 5f stks (6) gd in Jul.
Corton Lass 25-1 (9-7) In rear, driven over 1f out, some late progress but never any chance, 7th of 14, 13 1/4l behind Gorgeous Gobolina (9-7) at Musselburgh 5f stks (6) gd in Jul.
Laoise (USA) 28-1 (8-7) Slow into stride, in rear, pushed along 2f out, never a factor, 8th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Jordan Electrics (9-11) at Ayr 6f hcp (6) gf in Jul.
