held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, went 3rd inside final furlong, kept on
made most, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong
in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
tracked leading pair, effort to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
towards rear, never a factor
tracked leading pair, ridden and weakened over 1f out
with winner until over 1f out, ridden and soon weakened
went left start, always in rear, ridden 3f out, eased final furlong
A tricky handicap to assess with many recent winners in the field being slightly flattered by recent form so a chance is taken with WHO'S SHIRL to fend off Major Phil and Tagseed. Chris Fairhurst hasn't had many runners of late but does pop up with the odd winner. His daughter of Shinko Forest made an encouraging reappearance in a highly competitive handicap at Redcar. She ran nicely that day and is entitled to come on a lot for the run. The promising Paul Pickard takes a further five lbs off her back and she could go well at a nice price off a feather weight. Luca Cumani does not send many this far north so Major Phil is of interest on that basis alone. The Newmarket trainer has had seven runners here and one of those has won. The horse has always been campaigned well, winning when he can and having excuses on a number of occasions. He is very interesting considering who he is with and a market check is strongly advised. Tagseed didn't look like the type Hamden Al Maktoum would preserve with but the fact he has is interesting. He won his latest start but he very much had the run of the race. A mark of 80 looks stiff enough but he could progress further and should be in the shake up. Game Lad and Olympic Dream are others to note but Who's Shirl gets the vote
Game Lad 7-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Carlisle 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Rio Cobolo (7-13) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Tagseed (IRE) 5-4fav (9-12) Made all, pushed along well over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, ran on, won at Warwick 7f mdn stks (5) gd beating Streets Of War (9-0) by 1l, 11 ran.
Legal Legacy 9-1 (8-13) Behind, switched outside and headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 14, 3l behind Keys of Cyprus (8-13) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Major Phil (IRE) 7-2fav (9-3) Held up mid-division on outside, ridden to chase leaders 4f out, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd over 1f out, no impression with leading pair, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Elusive Fame (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-80 (4) fbs.
Signore Momento (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) In touch stands side group, pushed along 3f out, edged right over 1f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 15l behind Bond City (8-13) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
The Galloping Shoe 8-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 7, 34l behind Taaresh (8-6) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Olympic Dream 10-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 16, 16l behind Glenridding (9-3) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
Piquante 22-1 (8-0) Tracked leaders, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 13l behind Follow The Flag (8-5) at Doncaster 1m 2f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gf.
Who's Shirl 16-1 (8-11) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 8l behind Tangerine Trees (9-6) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Averoo 22-1 (8-4) Towards rear, soon pushed along and outpaced, headway and not much room and switched left over 1f out, again when not much room entering final furlong, soon led, ran on well, won at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating Frisbee (8-5) by 1 1/4l, 15 ran.
