led, ridden over 1f out, headed 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along and switched left over 1f out, led 1f out, driven out final furlong
held up behind leader, effort 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, chased along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra final furlong
stumbled at start and held up, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
slowly into stride and behind, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra final furlong
Flash Ram can get the better of Litlle Jimbob, with Riley Boys and Nevada Desert making for a close-knit contest. This does appear very close to call on paper, but the recent winning exploits of Flash Ram point us to Tim Easterby's charge. The four-year-old surprised connections when lasting out the mile to open his account for the season at Newcastle, and then improved again to shrug off a five-pound rise in the weights at Carlisle next time. Far too keen on the fast ground at Pontefract four days ago, a little restraint should see him give his true running. This slight rise in grade should not pose a problem, so he gets the vote in an open race. Little Jimbob could find no extra when fourth to Alamiyan over 10 furlongs at Pontefract, and this shorter trip should help in his bid to defy topweight. Riley Boys is a course and distance winner who did not get the best of luck in running when sent off as favourite at Carlisle last time, so he can not be overlooked either, while Nevada Desert is closely matched with him on that form. Snap disappointed at Sandown so must bounce back, and Tedstale Mac stayed on well enough to suggest that the trip will suit. All in all, with so many in with chances, only a narrow verdict goes the way of Flash Ram.
Little Jimbob 9-2 (9-9) Tracked leader and keen, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 3l behind Alamiyan (9-0) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Riley Boys (IRE) 7-1co-fav (9-8) Chased leaders, driven when not much room 1f out, soon ridden, no impression, 7th of 15, 3l behind Hartshead (9-9) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Nevada Desert (IRE) 11-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 5th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Hartshead (9-9) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Snap 11-2fav (9-2) In touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 17, 10l behind Freeloader (9-7) at Sandown 1m hcp (4) gf in May.
Flash Ram 11-2 (9-8) In touch, ridden 2f out, soon lost place, 7th of 12, 5l behind Along The Nile (8-6) at Pontefract 1m hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Tedsdale Mac 7-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Baylaw Star (9-8) at Beverley 7f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
