started very slowly, behind, under pressure over 4f out, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace
held up in touch, lost place over 3f out, switched right and headway over 1f out, soon led, ran on well, driven out
held up in rear, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, stayed on well, never troubled winner
broke well, pulled hard, tracked leaders, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, soon led, raced keenly, 5l clear halfway, headed 2f out soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
A decent contest for the money concludes proceedings and WAAHEJ is taken to follow-up an impressive win here last time, while Zaplamation has to be feared and both Ahlawy and Mr Freddy have claims. The selection was a wide-margin course and distance scorer on ground described as good, and because that was an apprentice handicap he escapes a penalty here. We often see with runs like that that what appears too good to be true often proves to be the case, but the sheer distance between the gelding and his opponents there means that we have to give him the chance to back it up today. One who has been confirming his form over and over is Zaplamation. John Quinn has placed the five-year-old really well, and he has gone up 21lbs for winning four and finishing runner-up in the other three of his last seven races. He is equally adept over this trip or a mile, and who is to say that his latest 7lb rise won't stop him going in again. Ahlawy had a similar sort of profile to that this time last year, and he has twice won over this trip on fast ground. He has slipped to an attractive mark and if backed we would anticipate a prominent effort. Mr Freddy stays further than this, which is a good thing at this track. Fast ground is ideal, but he just looks to have a couple of pounds too many to shoulder today and we'll take him on. Pedasus looks best of the rest, but Waahej is the one for us.
Ahlawy (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, in rear, soon tracked leaders, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Formidable Guest (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Feb.
Mr Freddy (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Red Cadeaux (9-6) at Doncaster 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
Zaplamation (IRE) 3-1fav (8-3) Held up mid-division, headway when not much room and switched left over 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, held on close home, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Blue Spinnaker (8-13) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Inspirina (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Prominent, took keen hold, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 14, 11l behind Brockfield (8-8) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Prime Circle 33-1 (8-9) Always in rear, last of 16, 41l behind West End Lad (8-7) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Pedasus (USA) 12-1 (9-3) Held up in mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, nearest finish, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Blue Tango (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Waahej 10-1 (8-9) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway to track leaders 4f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, comfortable, won at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Patavium (8-6) by 14l, 11 ran.
Joinedupwriting 14-1 (8-9) Held up, outpaced over 4f out, 8th of 11, 18l behind Moheebb (10-0) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
