always behind, eased final 2f
slowly into stride, behind, stayed on well final furlong, never nearer
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace
always behind
in touch, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
took keen hold, always behind
always behind
held up, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
reminders over 7f out, ridden over 5f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, no extra final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
stumbled start, towards rear, effort over 3f out, soon weakened
always behind
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, no clear run over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong
prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, not quicken towards finish
Weet A Head appreciated the cut in the ground when landing an amateur riders' contest at Haydock last week and has to be respected off just a 3lb higher mark but today's faster ground makes life tougher and a chance is taken with Trouble Mountain, who gets the vote ahead of Oulan Bator. The last mentioned has claims off just a 3lb higher mark than when landing a Hamilton handicap last month but disappointed off his new mark back at the same venue last time and may be best watched now. Kevin Ryan's Slavonic has more to do than when landing a Thirsk seller last week, while Little Bob has been done few favours with an outside draw. Prelude and Dove Cottage are others with claims on form but with tough draws to overcome and of more interest may be the William Haggas-trained El Chaparral, who has been running consistently well of late. The vote though goes to Trouble Mountain, who has slipped to an attractive mark, is well drawn and would not mind any of the forecast rain.
Weet A Head (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, driven and headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, held on well, won at Haydock 1m 3f amt hcp (5) gs beating Daring Affair (11-2) by 1l, 14 ran.
El Chaparral (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Held up, headway and switched left over 2f out, effort when hampered and unseated rider in race won by Weet A Head (11-3) at Haydock 1m 3f amt hcp (5) gs, 14 ran.
Trouble Mountain (USA) 12-1 (9-5) Always in rear, 12th of 13, 23l behind Charlie Kennet (8-13) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Silverhay 9-2jt-fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, pushed along over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 11th of 14, 20l behind Weet A Head (11-3) at Haydock 1m 3f amt hcp (5) gs.
Charlie Kennet 9-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, weakened quickly, 14th of 18, 15l behind Boot 'n Toot (9-1) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Aug.
Champion Lion (IRE) 13-2 (8-9) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 8, 5l behind Sunshine On Me (8-7) at Nottingham 1m 2f app hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Latif (USA) 12-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, one pace approaching final furlong, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Weet A Head (11-3) at Haydock 1m 3f amt hcp (5) gs.
Slavonic (USA) 9-2fav (9-1) Mid-division, switched outside and headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on well final furlong, won at Thirsk 1m sll (5) gf beating Time To Regret (9-0) by 3l, 16 ran.
Little Bob 8-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Halla San (9-0) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Chigorin 20-1 (9-8) Chased leader until over 2f out, losing place when hampered and eased over 1f out, last of 14, 28l behind Summerise (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Jun.
Barbirolli 11-1 (7-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 3l behind Torrens (9-0) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Calculaite 6-1fav (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 6l behind Foolish Groom (8-13) at Haydock 1m hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Charnock Bates One (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Reared at start and behind, brought wide over 2f out, some late headway, never near to challenge, 6th of 15, 4l behind Michaels Pride (8-9) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Oulan Bator (FR) 4-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, headway on inside 3f out, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5l behind McEldowney (8-1) at Hamilton 1m 3f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Prelude 7-4fav (8-9) Steadied at start, held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Ruling Reef (7-9) at Beverley 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Dove Cottage (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Chased leader, led after 1f, shaken up over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Aug beating Catskill (8-12) by a hd, 11 ran.
Compton Dragon (USA) 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 18, 3l behind Press Express (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 1f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
