led, ridden along halfway, headed inside when hampered, no extra close home
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, staying on when not much room, hampered inside final furlong, not recover
held up, ridden along halfway, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, held
prominent for 4f
never better than mid-division
held up, headway over 1f out, staying on when hung left inside final furlong, led close home
chased leaders to halfway
always behind
towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on towards finish
held up, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
in touch, ridden along halfway, weakened over 1f out
always rear division
mid-division, ridden along, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always rear division
chased leaders to halfway
towards rear, never dangerous
Hotham looks ready to strike but his wins have come at the minimum trip and so preference here is for Harrison George ahead of Ancient Cross and Guest Connections. A winner two starts back at sunny Doncaster, the selection then wallowed slightly in the soft ground here on the Knavesmire. That was still a fair effort on his handicap debut and now dropped back to six furlongs again; a big show looks on the cards with this big field and strong pace in his favour. Guest Connections is consistent at a lower level but this looks tougher, whilst Ancient Cross represents a trainer hitting a bit of form and needs respect. Castles In The Air won well last time at Haydock, and the overall level of his form looks good. My Kaiser Chief and Bel Cantor give Bill Ratcliffe a strong hand, whilst Opus Maximus was just behind the selection last time and is another who should be happier now back over six furlongs. A big field, and yet another tricky race on a tough York card, and preference is for Harrison George.
Bel Cantor 6-1 (8-9) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Rising Shadow (9-12) at Ripon 6f hcap (3) sft.
He's A Humbug (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden halfway, driven and kept on final furlong, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Stolt (9-2) at York 5f hcap (4) gd in May.
Trojan Flight 25-1 (8-6) Towards rear, brief effort over 2f out, no extra approaching final furlong, 9th of 12, 6l behind Barney McGrew (9-4) at Newcastle 6f hcap (3) gf in May.
Sir Nod 9-2 (8-8) Held up, effort when stumbled at bend 3f out, soon ridden, no impression approaching final furlong, 7th of 8, 6l behind Inter Vision (9-4) at Catterick 6f hcap (4) gf in May.
Hotham 7-1 (9-0) Behind, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong, 6th of 10, 5l behind Mandurah (8-10) at Haydock 5f app hcp (5) gf in May.
Baltimore Jack (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Chased leader, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, weakening when not much room approaching final furlong, 8th of 10, 10l behind Southandwest (9-4) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Harrison George (IRE) 15-2 (8-10) With leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on and every chance final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Tawaash (9-7) at York 7f 3yo hcp (3) gd in May.
Kalhan Sands (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, chased along halfway, never reached challenging position, 6th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Blue Jack (8-7) at Beverley 5f 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.
Top Bid 18-1 (9-3) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, eased final furlong, last of 14, 27l behind Nuit Sombre (9-6) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Guest Connections 13-8fav (9-6) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway final furlong, nearest finish, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Doubtful Sound (9-2) at Yarmouth 6f clm (6) gf in May.
Red Cape (FR) 12-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 8l behind Namir (9-1) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Castles In The Air 9-2 (8-8) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in May beating Maryolini (9-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
Winthorpe (IRE) 11-1 (9-11) Behind, effort over 2f out, never dangerous, 13th of 14, 13l behind Bid For Gold (9-6) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Opus Maximus (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, effort when hung left from over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, 4th of 10, 2l behind Tawaash (9-7) at York 7f 3yo hcp (3) gd in May.
Ancient Cross 12-1 (8-6) Towards rear, headway halfway, ridden to challenge over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Handsome Falcon (8-5) at Newcastle 7f hcap (4) gf in May.
Our Blessing (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 15, 8l behind Seamus Shindig (8-7) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
My Kaiser Chief 10-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 10th of 16, 9l behind Harbour Blues (9-0) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.
Ingleby Princess 10-1 (9-9) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Metal Guru (9-6) at Beverley 5f fll hcp (6) gf.
Lujiana 16-1 (8-6) Mid-division stand's side, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 17, 11l behind Capone (8-8) at Thirsk 6f 3yo hcp (5) gd in May.
