with leaders, ridden to lead well over 1f out, soon headed, weakened final furlong
with leaders, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong
in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, edged left and driven out
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out soon weakened
slowly into stride, in rear, never nearer
dwelt, in rear, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, effort and soon every chance entering final furlong, stayed on
always in rear
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
PONTING looks feasibly weighted after a maiden success at Southwell last time and so he is the selection, with Cool Sands and Deckchair put up as likely dangers. Ralph Beckett's three-year-old has improved steadily with racing, making all to win over this trip last time and with a solid 63-rated yardstick well beaten into third today's mark of 65 doesn't look too bad, despite the fact the horse has been beaten off lower marks in handicaps already. We feel that the gelding may simply be a slow learner and as such Jim Crowley's mount is given the chance to prove that he has improved since last running in a handicap, with the six furlong trip ideal at this stage. Cool Sands caught the eye on his penultimate start over this course and distance before being narrowly held over this trip at Southwell. That effort suggested James Given's charge would shortly be returning to the winners enclosure off a mark of just 55, some 11lb lower than when last winning at around this time last year, but whilst the horse clearly acts at Wolverhampton his best form has been at Southwell and for that reason he is narrowly opposed until returning to the Nottinghamshire venue. Deckchair was beaten out of sight over hurdles last time but returns to the scene of her last success and must be given a chance at what could be a rewarding price. The filly has struggled of late but won a course and distance handicap in convincing style off a rating off 55 previously and so today's 7lb lower mark should give connections hope. It is encouraging that both the horse's victories have come here at Dunstall Park and whilst the draw is of concern that may only add to the price offered about Sean Curran's horse. Of the others Micky Mac is running well but may need a return to further before adding to his two victories, whilst Dickie Le Davoir will improve for this step up in trip having ran as well as could have been expected over the minimum at Southwell last time and so must be given respect off what should prove a workable handicap mark. Ponting looks to be improving though and we fancy him to hit these for six.
Ponting (IRE) 4-7fav (9-3) Made all, ridden 2f out, soon edged left, driven out, won at Southwell 6f mdn stks (5) fbs beating Catchpenny (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Not My Choice (IRE) 28-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 13l behind Tourist (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Sea Rover (IRE) 28-1 (8-10) Chased leader stand's side group, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Viva Volta (9-0) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Leading Edge (IRE) 11-2 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Weet A Surprise (8-10) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Joyeaux 16-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride in rear, wide into straight 2f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Weet A Surprise (8-10) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Micky Mac (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken near finish, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Forever's Girl (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Dickie Le Davoir 5-1fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, soon ridden along in rear, headway entering final 2f, driven and stayed on final furlong, 4th of 14, 1 3/4l behind First Swallow (8-13) at Southwell 5f Handicap (0-58) (3yo+) (6) fbs.
Neo's Mate (IRE) 14-1 (8-3) Keen, led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 8l behind Just Jimmy (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Cool Sands (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, challenged final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Diamond Blade (8-12) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Queen Of Dobbin (IRE) 50-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, 14l behind Decider (9-9) at Wolverhampton 5f sell stks (6) pol.
Granakey (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Towards rear and pushed along, no impression from over 1f out, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Best One (8-13) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Oct.
Deckchair 16-1 (8-13) In touch, chased leader over 2f out to over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 12, 12l behind Rudolph Schmidt (8-7) at Lingfield 7f 3yo sell stks (6) pol in Oct.
