pulled hard early, mid-division, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led over 3f out, drew clear over 1f out, easily
mid-division, headway over 2f out, switched right approaching final furlong, ran on, nearest finish
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on well closing stages
held up in rear, stayed on towards finish, never a threat
always prominent, ridden to challenge over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
in touch, lost place over 2f out
took keen hold in touch, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, driven and headed over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong
Riptide usually goes well here and won this off a 5lb higher mark in 2013. He reversed course and distance running in July with Tuscan Gold over a longer trip subsequently and goes on the short-list. Aviator also makes plenty of appeal having been in very good form over hurdles this summer but Di's Gift was only fourth off his new mark at Catterick on Tuesday. HOOKERGATE GRAMMAR (NAP) is still a maiden but appears to have stamina in abundance and, getting plenty of weight from his older rivals, can open his account today.
Tuscan Gold 7-2fav (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along over 7f out, weakened well over 3f out, eased 2f out, 6th of 7, 25 1/2l behind See And Be Seen (9-0) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Di's Gift 5-1fav (9-13) Slowly into stride, took keen hold in touch, headway over 2f out, switched left to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, held on gamely, won at Catterick 2m hcp (5) gs in Aug beating Weybridge Light (8-9) by nk, 12 ran.
Aviator (GER) 9-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and one pace before 2 out, kept on under pressure approaching last, no impression, 4th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Mister Fizz (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Riptide 2-1fav (10-0) Pushed along to soon lead, ridden and headed narrowly 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Chevalgris (9-10) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Hallstatt (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Disputed lead with winner 2f out, tracked leaders, not clear run over 3f out, switched right over 2f out, soon ridden and kept on same pace, 4th of 5, 3 3/4l behind Kodicil (9-8) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Madam Lilibet (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden along and dropped to rear 13f out, ridden and headway 2f out, plugged on, 4th of 8, 18 1/2l behind Point The Toes (9-6) at Pontefract 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Attention Seaker 11-1 (11-12) Mid division, ridden 3 out, one paced from next, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Hail The Brave (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
New Tarabela 25-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, weakened quickly over 3f out, 7th of 8, 20 1/2l behind Instill (9-0) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Exclusive Contract (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 4 1/4l behind Wor Lass (9-3) at Newcastle 1m 6f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Hookergate Grammar 13-8fav (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Harvey's Hope (9-5) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (6) gf in Sep.
