always in rear
in touch, one pace final 2f
mid-division, effort on outside 2f out, soon ridden, weakening when bumped inside final furlong
chased leaders, every chance 2f out, soon ridden and weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and one pace when not clear run when entering final furlong, hampered inside final furlong, never troubled leaders after
slowly away, behind, not clear run switched left to outside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, finished well
steadied and switched right start, held up in rear, not clear run and switched left to outside, over 1f out, no room after, soon eased, not recovered
mid-division, pushed along halfway, soon weakened
always behind
chased leader, ridden to lead approaching final 1f, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd post
in touch, pushed along and headway on outside, 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, pushed along halfway, not clearest of runs over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd post
led, ridden and headed approaching final 1f, no extra inside final furlong
Granted the rub of the green; WEET A SURPRISE can land this tough sprint handicap. Northern Empire, Select Committee and Guto are a trio of others worthy of consideration on the pick of their efforts. Guto is game and consistent for one at this level and can usually be relied upon to give his all. He's on a handy mark just now and cannot be confidently ruled out; especially as he is set to encounter his ideal conditions. Select Committee had Namir well behind when he gained a deserved success at Beverley last time out. He'll be a big threat now his blood is on the boil and he has finally rediscovered the winning thread. Northern Empire is another dangerously well-handicapped individual that has been knocking on the door of late. He does have a tendency to miss the break, though. Which is never ideal over the minimum trip; similar comments also apply to top weight Highland Warrior, who just seems to have lost his edge at the moment. However, Weet A Surprise has been holding his form really well lately and, granted the breaks in running; the James Unett-owned/trained gelding has a solid chance of finally gaining that illusive first victory on turf if all goes according to the scrip in the finale.
Highland Warrior 8-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 7, 4l behind Bravely (8-12) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jul.
Namir (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Soon outpaced and pushed along towards rear, pushed along and headway on inside over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, went 2nd, closing on winner near finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind King Of Swords (8-5) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Grimes Faith 17-2 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 6th of 12, 6l behind Redwater River (8-1) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Russian Rocket (IRE) 4-1fav (9-11) Chased leaders on inner, travelling well when not clear run, briefly and switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, finished well, almost snatched 2nd, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Bluebok (9-2) at Lingfield 5f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Jul.
Compton Classic 5-1 (9-5) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway over 2f out, led well over 1f out, 2 lengths clear approaching final furlong, soon ridden and idled, caught near finish, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Cwmni (8-1) at Bath 6f sell stks (5) gd in Jul.
Northern Empire (IRE) 40-1 (9-4) Raced towards centre, chased leaders, ridden after 2f, hung right inside final furlong, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 11l behind Jilly Why (8-10) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Jul.
Select Committee 7-1 (8-11) In touch, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul beating Peninsular War (9-7) by nk, 12 ran.
Wibbadune (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Soon tracking leaders, outpaced halfway, headway approaching final furlong, nearest finish, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Diane's Choice (8-2) at Bath 5f flls hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Wavertree Princess (IRE) 50-1 (8-8) Always towards rear, 12th of 13, 10l behind Harlech Castle (9-0) at Nottingham 5f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Cheshire Rose 22-1 (9-7) Close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Regal Royale (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Guto 9-2 (9-7) In touch, driven along over 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Mr Skipiton (9-6) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jul.
Lake Chini (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Mid-division, one pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 4l behind Prince Namid (9-3) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Sofinella (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) With leaders, faded entering final furlong, 13th of 15, 11l behind Highland Warrior (11-7) at Doncaster 5f am hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Jul.
Weet A Surprise 11-1 (8-6) Held up, raced towards centre, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Jilly Why (8-10) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Jul.
Triple Dream 20-1 (9-1) Outpaced in rear, pushed along halfway, headway when not clear run inside final 2f, soon switched left, ran on inside final furlong, going on near finish, 4th of 14, 1 1/4l behind Solemn (9-1) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
