led far side, ridden over 2f out, headed towards finish, no extra
chased leaders far side, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch far side, effort 2f out, no extra final furlong
chased leaders far side, effort 2f out, stayed on to lead group near finish
reared start and unseated rider
missed break, always behind stands' side
chased leaders far side, no extra approaching final furlong
in touch far side, effort 2f out, no extra approaching final furlong
made all stands' side, hard pressed final furlong, held on well
towards rear far side, never dangerous
cahsed leaders stands' side, ridden halfway, kept on one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear and never dangerous far side
tracked leaders stands' side, headway to challenge over 1f out, every chance until no extra close home
in touch stands' side, effort 2f out, no extra approaching final furlong
in touch far side, weakened approaching final furlong
towards rear far side, never dangerous
chased leaders stands' side, ridden over 1f out
missed break badly, always behind stands' side
towards rear stands' side, never dangerous
From a good draw in stall 6 Raccoon can complete a hat-trick here in a race that is not as competitive as may first appear, with Chico Guapo, Erracht and Strensall others to consider. Raccoon has been difficult so far, needing plenty of time between his races, and he comes here a fresh horse after wins here at Thirsk and also Sandown last season. He has a decent low draw, performs well on fast ground, and may well be capable of carrying 6lb more than that latest win with another winter on his back. Topweight Chico Guapo has earned his place at the head of the list with some good performances in this sort of company and some respectable ones when more highly tried. A dual course and distance winner, he too has the ground in his favour and can go very well, though he might just be anchored off his current mark. Erracht has gone up 5lb for a recent back-to-form Brighton success after a barren spell of eight starts. She relishes quicker ground and comes into calculations on that basis, though she did have to work hard enough to win last time and may just be found wanting off her current rating. The same can be said of Strensall, who is 3lb higher than his highest winning mark, but is at his best on good to firm and has a decent high draw, and so he may well be involved at the business end. But for the selection we return to Raccoon to complete a hat-trick.
