in touch on outside, ridden after 3 out, no extra when not fluent last
led until approaching 7th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leader, led approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, not fluent and headed 2 out, no extra final 150 yards
tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place after 5th, behind 7th
in rear, not fluent and ridden along from 6th, driven into modest 6th before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, took keen hold, not much room briefly approaching 7th, lost place when not fluent 3 out, stayed on to go 5th before 2 out, 4 lenghts adrift last, responded to pressure and ran on well flat to lead close home
held up towards rear, headway 5th, went 2nd 7th, not fluent and led 2 out, ridden flat, headed close home
mid-division, blundered 5th, headway after 3 out, challenged last, no extra and edged right final 100 yards
tracked leaders, jumped slowly and driven 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
always towards rear
held up towards rear, effort after 3 out, soon no further progress
At these weights Stage Acclaim should confirm previous form with Saltagioo but both might struggle to contain HOLOKO HEIGHTS if the visor works the oracle. Tim Vaughan's charge won nicely on his debut over timber at Southwell and his trainer suggested there'd be plenty of races to be won with him after that. Things didn't go to plan thereafter as he was pulled up on his second start before a very remote sixth last time, but the combination of a break and the first-time visor are enough for us to give him a tentative vote in what appears an open contest. Vaughan's 38% strike-rate with hurdlers here over the past five years adds to our hope that he can win off 122 although market support would have to be seen for him to become a serious betting proposition. Those looking for a more solid call could do well to turn to Stage Acclaim, who ran reasonably on the flat last time following a win over timber prior to it. He's up 5lbs but this trip should be ideal and he's weighted to confirm form with Saltagioo, who finished second to him at Huntingdon. The latter has arguably improved since then having won nicely last time at Newton Abbot and can't be ruled with Jimmy Derham continuing to impress in the saddle, although strictly from a handicapping perspective he's hard to back. Bathwick Man was well held last time but the support he attracted suggests connections believe he's up to winning soon, now only 4lbs higher than his last winning mark and with conditions to suit. The Gloves Are Off won here three starts back but has done little to tempt backers since so a bigger threat at a price looks to be Consulate, who has gone well on his last two starts in handicaps. There are plenty in with chances but we'll take a chance of our own on Holoko Heights.
Stage Acclaim (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Led, headed approaching 3rd, tracked leader, led 4 out, under pressure approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on gamely run-in, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in May beating Saltagioo (11-1) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
The Good Guy (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Led, not fluent 3rd, jumped right next, headed 6th, not fluent when hampered 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 23l behind Alazan (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in May.
Bathwick Man 3-1fav (11-12) Led, pecked 2nd, soon headed, pressed leader, led again after 3 out, ridden and headed before next, no impression with winner between last 2, lost 2nd and weakened before last, 3rd of 10, 35l behind Summer Soul (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in May.
The Gloves Are Off (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 10th, tailed off from next, 4th of 6, 45l behind Big Burrows (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (4) gf in May.
Holoko Heights 22-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th or 7th, headway when badly hampered 3 out, not recover, 6th of 10, 19l behind Little George (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Black Jacari (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 4 out, driven to chase leaders next, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 10, 48l behind Summer Soul (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in May.
Mister Benedictine 16-1 (10-11) Raced wide, held up, headway 7th, tracked winner 9th until 2 out, rallied to well held 2nd near line, 2nd of 9, 17l behind Passato (10-7) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Wot Way Chief 16-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, chased leaders 7th, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 12, 17l behind Coastley (10-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Consulate (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, hit 4th, led after 3 out, headed last, soon ridden, edged right and kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Stumped (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
King Ozzy (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Prominent, led after 2 out, soon headed, weakened last, 6th of 10, 24l behind Radium (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Ravati (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Took keen hold in touch, ridden 2 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 8, 5l behind Quipe Me Posted (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Saltagioo (ITY) 4-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leader until led approaching 5th where not fluent, joined before 2 out, went clear approaching last, ran on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf beating Souter Point (10-11) by 9l, 11 ran.
