tracked leader, led after 4th untill after 3 out, ridden and soon weakened
mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out and every chance, weakened from last
tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead approching 2 out, soon ridden kept on until headed and no extra flat
mid-division reminders 5th and 6th, ridden approaching 9th, weakened 3 out and pulled up before next
held up, effort approaching 8th, ridden after 3 out and gradually weakened
towards rear, headway approaching 9th to chase leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on gamely to lead flat
held up, ridden after 7th, weakened and lost touch 9th, pulled up before 2 out
led, headed after 4th, hit 7th, ridden approaching 9th and weakened from next
Optimistic Harry can beat Sono and the disappointing Oasis Banus. Nothing catches the eye here as much as Optimistic Harry who has the all important winning form to his name. His latest victory, gained at Cartmel in May, was gained in decisive fashion after a break of 10 months, and although off again since, he appears well over the leg injury that saw him sidelined for so long. With just seven career outings to his name, Richard Ford's charge can endure a good few pounds rise in the handicap before his improvement levels out and he can safely follow up here. Sono seemed to act well in a first-time visor when second over the course-and-distance at the start of the month, and he is at present rated much higher than the selection, but the concession of over a stone will surely prove too much for him. Oasis Banus has been very disappointing, and cannot be supported with any confidence, and the market will tell whether Tony Dobbin's mount Prince Mandala is fancied or not. On latest evidence though, Optimistic Harry is the one to beat.
Prince Mandala (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway to 3rd 5 out, improved to challenge 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 17l behind Yoursomethinelse (10-13) at Downpatrick 2m 6f mdn hdl gd.
Sono 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, ridden 9th, every chance 3 out, soon one pace, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Greenfort Brave (10-1) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Toran Road (IRE) 11-2fav (11-6) Held up, progress after 4 out, 7th after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 5th of 15, 12l behind Garsington (11-1) at Tramore 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 gf.
Komoto 25-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, 3rd and ridden 3 out, soon no extra, kept on one pace, 5th of 14, 14l behind Belos (11-5) at Downpatrick 2m 6f hacp hdl gf in Jul.
Turbulent Flight 66-1 (10-7) Led until headed 1st, tracked leader, lost place and reminder after 5th, ridden next, soon behind and pulled up 3 out in race won by It's A Roofer (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf, 9 ran.
Named At Dinner 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, outpaced 7th, 5th of 12, well behind Mags Two (11-11) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd sll hcp hdl (5) gs in Jun.
Optimistic Harry 5-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 8th, soon chasing leaders, led last, stayed on well, won at Cartmel 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in May beating Thorn of The Rose (10-6) by 9l, 12 ran.
Romanov Rambler (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Lost place after 3rd, soon behind, tailed off 3 out, 7th of 10, well behind Aces Four (11-6) at Perth 3m nh nov hdl (3) gf in Apr.
Ro Eridani 25-1 (10-9) Prominent, outpaced 3 out, rallied after next, no impression when left 3rd last, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Glen Harley (10-12) at Hexham 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
Oasis Banus (IRE) 6-4fav (10-10) Held up in touch,effort under pressure and mistake 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 9, 25l behind Manque Neuf (11-3) at Plumpton 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gs in Nov.
