in touch, ridden and weakened entering final furlong
mid-division, headway 2f out, not clear run and switched right entering final furlong, ran on
mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and ran on final furlong, nearest finish
close up, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in rear, never near leaders
close up, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out
keen held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to chase clear winner inside final furlong
always in rear
close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden and headed entering final furlong
dwelt switched left start in rear, never a factor
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
tracked leader, led entering final furlong, quickened clear
Shouranour ran well at Catterick last time but is on a tough mark while Sakhee's Return and Related seem to be out of sorts and Lexington Times probably wants it softer underfoot. The consistent Ballymore Castle has been knocking on the door of late but is on a long losing run, so preference is for GOTHIC EMPIRE, who experienced some traffic problems when last seen at Yarmouth in May and can probably be forgiven that performance. The big field and strong pace here should suit him and he can take this ahead of course and distance winner Bertiewhittle, who is coming to hand and should be involved in the finish. Newcastle maiden winner Sun Lover is also of interest on his handicap debut.
Firmdecisions (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Raced stands side, overall leader, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 9, 1/4l behind Taurean Star (9-1) at Yarmouth 7f hcp (3) gf in May.
War Department (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 7, 11 1/4l behind Supersta (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Penwortham (IRE) 50-1 (8-3) Held up, headway on outer over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead inside final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 10, nk behind Fastnet Tempest (8-10) at Chester 1m hcp (2) gf in May.
Bertiewhittle 25-1 (9-3) Dwelt, held up towards rear, switched left and headway on outer over 1f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Burnt Sugar (8-12) at Doncaster 7f hcp (3) sft in Jun.
Classic Seniority 14-1 (9-7) Raced near side, chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, 2nd in group inside final furlong, no chance with principals, 6th of 19, 9l behind Naggers (9-2) at Thirsk 6f hcp (3) sft in May.
Gothic Empire (IRE) 5-2fav (9-1) Slowly away, raced stands side in touch, headway 3f out, ridden when short of room over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Taurean Star (9-1) at Yarmouth 7f hcp (3) gf in May.
Moonlightnavigator (USA) 10-1 (9-1) Led until over 2f out, rallied over 1f out, faded final furlong, 8th of 13, 9 1/4l behind El Vip (9-7) at Newcastle 1m hcp (3) pol in Jun.
Roll On Rory 20-1 (9-7) Raced near side, in touch, reminders over 4f out, behind from halfway, 16th of 19, 16 1/4l behind Naggers (9-2) at Thirsk 6f hcp (3) sft in May.
God Willing 12-1 (9-5) Raced far side, held up, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 19, 10 1/2l behind Naggers (9-2) at Thirsk 6f hcp (3) sft in May.
Roaring Forties (IRE) 66-1 (9-6) Raced near side, held up and always towards rear, 11th of 19, 14 1/2l behind Naggers (9-2) at Thirsk 6f hcp (3) sft in May.
Sun Lover Evensfav (9-5) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Sep beating Barjeel (9-5) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Related 25-1 (8-6) Mid-division, driven 3f out, lost place and hanging left over 2f out, last of 16, 16 1/2l behind Al Qahwa (8-13) at York 6f hcp (2) sft in May.
Sakhee's Return 12-1 (9-1) Outpaced in rear, never dangerous, last of 9, 12 1/2l behind Fingal's Cave (9-4) at Catterick 7f hcp (3) sft in Jun.
Shouranour (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Always prominent, led 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Fingal's Cave (9-4) at Catterick 7f hcp (3) sft in Jun.
Ballymore Castle (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Burnt Sugar (8-12) at Doncaster 7f hcp (3) sft in Jun.
Lexington Times (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 12, 11 1/2l behind Burnt Sugar (8-12) at Doncaster 7f hcp (3) sft in Jun.
Wink Oliver 8-1 (9-0) Raced wide keen, held up, smooth headway approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead post, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Jun beating Eqleem (9-0) by ns, 11 ran.
Chaplin Bay (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Dwelt keen raced wide in rear, headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Safe Voyage (10-0) at Ayr 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Be Kool (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway on outside under pressure and wide on home turn, no impression over 1f out, 5th of 10, 8 3/4l behind Mon Beau Visage (9-7) at Pontefract 1m hcp (5) gd in May.
