tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and challenged over 1f out, not quicken towards finish
in rear, ridden and outpaced 3f out, kept on to take 3rd from over 1f out
led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened and eased
chased leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, driven out
Touchdown is bound to be popular with backers considering the good form of Mark Johnston's runners and he has to be respected on his seasonal reappearance having won his maiden in good fashion at Thirsk when last seen 11 months ago but he faces no easy task on his first start in a handicap and a better bet looks to be LEGION D'HONNEUR, who gets the vote ahead of Rosbay. Tim Easterby's gelding paid the penalty for his consistency last season but he has run well off this mark before and should again be thereabouts but is likely to be placed at best. Chris Grant's Ella Woodcock has been well held in recent starts over hurdles and is hard to recommend back on the flat and of more interest may be Brian Ellison's reappearing Mister Arjay, who is 1lb lower than when successful at Catterick in July. Musselburgh selling winner Raucous struggled back in a handicap at the same venue last time and is likely to do so again and preference is for Legion D'Honneur. Len Lungo's gelding is only 5lbs higher than when successful at Hamilton last season, has run creditably in two recent starts over hurdles and he looks worth chancing back on the flat off what seems a fair mark and on ground that suits.
Rosbay (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Tracked leader, headway to challenege 3f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 9l behind Tarkheena Prince (9-3) at Ayr 1m 5f hcap (3) hvy in Sep.
Ella Woodcock (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Held up, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 10l behind Times Vital (8-5) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcap (3) gd in Oct.
Mister Arjay (USA) 20-1 (8-12) Led, headed well over 7f out, chased leader until 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 8, 12l behind Ainama (10-0) at Chester 2m hcap (4) gf in Aug.
Raucous (GER) 14-1 (9-6) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 8l behind Gordonsville (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Touchdown 11-4 (8-10) Raced keenly in touch, headway to lead 7f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Thirsk 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in May beating Dolly Penrose (8-5) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Legion D'honneur (UAE) 8-1 (9-9) Made all, joined 4f out, ridden over 2f out, driven clear final furlong, won at Hamilton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May beating Princess Lomi (9-6) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
