held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
tracked leader after 1f, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden 3f out, not trouble leaders
held up in touch, led over 1f out, pushed out
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakenedf 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened and hung left over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
keen in rear, headway from over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression towards finish
in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Not an easy race to call but it is hard to believe that Mark Johnston would have too many runners in his Middleham yard who were not capable of a good deal better than the mark of 60 alloted to AQUA VITAE, who looks far more interesting now handicapping. She gets the vote ahead of Scarcity and Cookie Galore. The selection has been given three quiet runs in maidens showing a bit of ability without getting too carried away. Sprint trips on fast ground should suit for now, and after a couple of recent runs she should be primed and ready for today. Scarcity has a similar sort of profile, running down the field in three maidens including a pipe-opener last time. However, with the yard not being in red hot form at present we will oppose for today. Cookie Galore scored at Wolverhampton a couple of starts back and was not disgraced under a penalty last time when tried over 7f. The drop back to this trip looks a plus and he can go well. Reach For The Sky looks held by the assessor at present, Miss Polly Plum is not wholly ruled out after a decent effort last time, and preference is for Aqua Vitae.
Reach For The Sky (IRE) 33-1 (8-1) In rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on and edged left inside final furlong, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 5l behind Sonny G (8-1) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Aqua Vitae (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 19l behind Maid In Heaven (9-0) at Pontefract 6f 3yo fll mdn (5) gd.
Rathbawn Girl (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Do More Business (9-0) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Cookie Galore 3-1fav (9-3) Prominent, took keen hold, being leant on well over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Decency (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Scarcity (IRE) 40-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 14, 20l behind Whirly Dancer (8-7) at Folkestone 7f mdn stks (5) gs.
Bell's Ocean (USA) 25-1 (8-4) Always behind, 12th of 13, 29l behind Dolphin Rock (8-10) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Baby Judge (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Tracked leading pair, ridden 2f out, no impression, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Take My Hand (9-4) at Catterick 7f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Cheshire Lady (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) Awkward leaving stalls, held up, not much room 4f out, headway on inside 1f out, edged right and went 3rd inside final furlong, not trouble front pair, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Jigajig (8-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Miss Polly Plum 40-1 (8-1) Pulled hard in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Decency (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Speedyfix 25-1 (7-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final 1f, 7th of 10, 6l behind Imjin River (8-13) at Kempton 6f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Avec Moi 50-1 (8-3) Mid-division, no impression from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 11l behind Blue Lyric (9-5) at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Bird On The Wire 33-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden on outside over 2f out, never dangerous, 6th of 13, 7l behind Jigajig (8-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
