held up in last pair, ridden 3f out, headway from 2f out, stayed on, never able to get to leaders
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up in 5th, closed over 4f out, went 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
last to break, held up in last pair, weakened 5f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, never on terms, well beaten 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden 5f out, weakened over 3f out
soon led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, pushed along 6f out, headway 5f out, hung left and driven over 2f out, well beaten 1f out
held up towards rear, switched right 3f out, headway and not clear run over 2f out, went 3rd entering final furlong, stayed on
Almost Gemini is a very interesting entry on his handicap debut as he's been beaten out of sight in three maidens over 1m2f but is bred for this trip. Pugnacious steps up from 1m4f and did a bit better last time but this trip takes some getting and GRAND ART looks the answer. He's returned from jumping in fine form, beating a moderate field at Musselburgh over the trip on fast ground last week and a penalty shouldn't prevent a quick follow-up. Hi Dancer won twice over hurdles in the spring and has been running consistently on the Flat so should be in the mix while Descaro has slipped down the ratings and has won from much higher marks in the past. Jawaab runs in a first-time visor and has dropped to a fair mark but may find the ground a bit on the fast side.
Petella 9-4fav (10-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 7f out, soon ridden along, rallied over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 10, 11l behind Grand Art (9-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Descaro (USA) 11-2 (9-10) Led early, tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 9, 8l behind Maid Of Meft (9-10) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Jawaab (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Chased leders, not much room and switched right over 4f out, rallied on rails inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Looks Like Rain (8-11) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Grand Art (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf beating Geanie Mac (9-0) by 5l, 10 ran.
Hi Dancer 7-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Dr Irv (8-0) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug.
Pegasus Prince (USA) 4-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden and some headway 2f out, not troubled leaders, 9th of 15, 5l behind Descaro (9-12) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr '11.
Spiders Star 12-1 (8-12) Early reminders, chased leaders, quickly lost place over 7f out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Generous Dream (9-6) at Ripon 2m hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Aug.
Manager Mick (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Chased leaders 8f, soon in rear, tailed off over 4f out, last of 16, well behind Bandanaman (10-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f ldy hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Aug.
Pugnacious (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) In touch, pushed along and went 3rd on inside 3f out, driven and went 2nd over 2f out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Brasingaman Espee (8-7) at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Aug.
Almost Gemini (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Held up, pushed along over 6f out, soon ridden, weakened over 3f out, last of 5, 22l behind Qaadira (8-9) at Haydock 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in May.
Asteroid Belt (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 3f out, switched outside over 2f out, hung left from over 1f out, stayed on to chase leading pair final furlong, always held, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Sweet Fairnando (8-11) at Redcar 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Aug.
