prominent, ridden over 2f out, led briefly over 1f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra close home
towards rear, headway and every chance entering final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
behind, headway over 1f out to chase leaders, ridden and kept on to lead last 50 yards
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders until ridden and weakened halfway
always behind
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
Methaaly is taken to stop the follow-up bid of Toy Top, with course-and-distance winners Malapropism, Welcome Approach and Rothesay Dancer seen as the other leading players. This looks a quite competitive affair concerning those in the top half of the handicap, with preference just for Methaaly who is out to get the losses back after his costly defeat at Chester. Sent off as favourite, he stumbled coming out of the stalls, but got back into the race and was denied just a short-head by the front-running Blessed Place. He is more or less a winner without a penalty, and with Sophie Doyle able to claim a handy 7lb into the bargain, he is the pick. Toy Top ended a losing run of 17 at Thirsk and should at least maintain that form over Rothesay Dancer on today's terms, while Welcome Approach is knocking at the door. It is dangerous to rule out Malapropism, but he is hard to catch on the right day, and for the winner we return to Methaaly.
Strensall 16-1 (8-8) Towards rear, never dangerous, 14th of 15, 8l behind Glasshoughton (9-7) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Malapropism 4-1 (8-13) Pressed leader, ridden to lead briefly entering final furlong, faded towards finish, 5th of 9, 2l behind Matsunosuke (8-12) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Welcome Approach 10-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden halfway, headway to lead final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 14, nk behind Kings College Boy (8-11) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Rothesay Dancer 6-1 (9-9) Mid-division, switched left and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 6l behind Toy Top (8-12) at Thirsk 5f app fll hcp (5) gf.
Methaaly (IRE) 9-4fav (9-5) Stumbled slightly start, soon chasing winner, ridden over 1f out, just failed, 2nd of 9, shd behind Blessed Place (9-2) at Chester 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Toy Top (USA) 9-2jt-fav (8-12) Made all, pushed along halfway, driven and kept on final furlong, won at Thirsk 5f app fll hcp (5) gf beating Miacarla (8-3) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Strawberry Patch (IRE) 7-1 (8-3) Behind stands' side group, soon ridden, never dangerous, 13th of 14, 9l behind Making Music (8-6) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Seafield Towers 33-1 (8-6) Chased leaders stands' side group, ridden halfway, one pace, 11th of 14, 6l behind Making Music (8-6) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Sokoke 200-1 (8-9) Led for furlong, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 18l behind Raccoon (8-11) at Musselburgh 5f hcap (4) gd in Jun.
Mutayam 50-1 (8-7) Mid-division, outpaced halfway, last of 10, 11l behind Word Perfect (9-10) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Rosie's Result 25-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 11l behind Lambency (8-7) at Newcastle 6f app hcp (6) gd.
Compton Lad 150-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 11, 8l behind Luck Will Come (8-12) at Hamilton 6f mdn stk (5) gf.
Ptarmigan Ridge 20-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression, 7th of 15, 3l behind Glasshoughton (9-7) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Sharp Hat 20-1 (8-8) Held up far side group, never dangerous, 12th of 14, 6l behind Making Music (8-6) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
