towards rear of midfield, ridden halfway, headway and kept on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
with leader, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon headed and no extra well inside final furlong
dwelt start, midfield, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, battled back and led again well inside final furlong, kept on
slowly into stride, always in rear and never going well
chased leaders, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, weakened final 150yds
went left start, in rear, some late headway, never on terms
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, behind and eased well inside final furlong
SOUL SEEKER (NAP) took advantage of a slide down the weights when winning at Pontefract last time and can defy a 4lb rise given he landed a double off higher marks last summer. Van Gerwen and Melody King filled the places behind the selection with Prospect further behind but James Watt won at Ripon when last racing in this grade and an apprentice’s allowance further helps his cause. Rory looks more favourably weighted than Late Arrival as both drops down in trip.
James Watt (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Rear of mid-division, effort from over 2f out, never on terms, 5th of 7, 7 1/4l behind Tees Spirit (10-0) at Doncaster 5f hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Soul Seeker (IRE) 13-2 (9-12) Disputed lead, pushed along over 1f out, led final furlong, ran on strongly, readily, won at Pontefract 5f hcp (5) gf in Aug beating Van Gerwen (9-6) by 1l, 10 ran.
Late Arrival (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Pushed along early and soon led, ridden over 1f out, kept on, headed 110 yards out, no extra, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Dandy Spirit (9-7) at Pontefract 6f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Prospect 9-1 (9-12) In touch towards rear, keen, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Soul Seeker (9-12) at Pontefract 5f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Melody King (IRE) 5-2fav (9-7) Blindfold removed late, raced keenly in mid-division, driven along over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 7, 6l behind Burj Malinka (9-3) at Hamilton 5f hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Hey Mr 6-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, pushed along well over 2f out, kept on well final 110yds, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Burj Malinka (9-3) at Hamilton 5f hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Van Gerwen 11-2 (9-6) Led narrowly, pushed along over 1f out, ran on until headed 110 yards out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind High Security (9-3) at Beverley 5f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Rory 8-1 (10-3) Towards rear, pushed along 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Monsieur Kodi (9-13) at Ayr 6f hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Murbih (IRE) 17-2 (9-5) Led, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Latin Five (9-7) at Beverley 5f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Dark Shot 20-1 (9-4) Midfield, pushed along over 2f out, made no impression from over 1f out, 10th of 14, 6 3/4l behind So Grateful (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Aug.