hampered after 100 yards, held up in touch, driven and headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, soon edged left, kept on same pace
in touch on outside, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
behind, pulled hard, never dangerous
held up in touch, smooth headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, kept on well under pressure
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final 2f
held up, outpaced over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on under pressure
behind, ridden halfway, soon beaten
prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
prominent, under pressure halfway, soon weakened
behind, some late headway, never nearer
led until halfway, weakened over 2f out
always behind, hung right throughout
LETHAL has been just that recently and is our selection here ahead of course and distance winner Elusive Warrior and Ballycroy Boy. The selection has won three of his last six outings, and he his chasing a hat-trick here today after winning his last two. The first of those was over course and distance, a superb run at Yarmouth last time out added to his tally and victory here look likely. Richard Fahey's stable is in good form and the gelding will be hard to beat here. Elusive Warrior has put in a couple of decent runs here already this year. He is back over his ideal course and distance today and look capable of casing some concern to the selection but runs best when able to dominate so may struggle here and a runner up spot looks likely. Ballycroy Boy has had his last eight races here and has been in great form of late. He has finished runner up at the last two attempts and was beaten favourite last time. A similar result here today look is to be expected as this slight step up in trip has proved troublesome in the past. The rest of this fairly large field have little good form between them. Tiger Dream has been poor since returning to action earlier this year and five-year-old Ancient Cross is still seeking a first career win, so vast improvement is needed to worry the inform Lethal.
Tiger Dream 7-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 13l behind Wovoka (8-8) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Crocodile Bay (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, under pressure 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 8l behind Lethal (9-1) at Yarmouth 6f clm stks (6) gd.
Royal Challenge 16-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, hampered well over 1f out, soon switched left and kept on onside final furlong, 6th of 10, 5l behind Dancing Maite (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Punching 9-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden halfway, never on terms, 10th of 14, 7l behind Malcheek (9-2) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Ballycroy Boy (IRE) 4-1fav (9-4) Looked reluctant in rear and raced with head high, soon pushed along, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reached winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Cape of Storms (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Mar.
Lethal 7-2fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon ridden, held on well, won at Yarmouth 6f clm stks (6) gd beating Secret Dubai (9-1) by 1l, 13 ran.
Ancient Cross 17-2 (8-10) In rear, stayed on final 2f, not reach leaders, 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Malcheek (9-2) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
This Ones For Pat (USA) 8-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out, 16th of 17, 32l behind Pickering (8-7) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Top Tribute 8-1 (8-11) Mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 14, 12l behind Kipchak (9-1) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fm.
Big Slick (IRE) 28-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, no impression after, 6th of 10, 8l behind Whiteoak Lady (9-0) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Golden Future 66-1 (9-0) Steadied start, keen, held up in last place, ridden 3f out, no impression, 9th of 10, 15l behind That'll Do Nicely (9-4) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Mar.
Vanatina (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Prominent, lost place over 5f out, pushed along 4f out, some progress over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 8l behind Just Jimmy (8-9) at Wolverhampton 7f hcap (6) pol in Feb.
Little Pandora 150-1 (8-13) Mid-division, outpaced halfway, soon behind, 17th of 18, 23l behind Medici Time (9-3) at Redcar 6f mdn stks (5) gd in Oct.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 9-2fav (9-12) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 14, 6l behind Cap St Jean (9-5) at Southwell 7f sell stks (6) fbs.
