Anything David Pipe runs on the Flat must be respected including the 2010 Chester Cup winner Mamlook. OPERA BUFF went up 9lb for a very easy victory at Salisbury then ran even better in a jump jockey's Flat race at Goodwood where he gave supporters of Harry Hunt a fright. The remainder were well beaten and compensation awaits. Sherman McCoy changed stables after winning a Catterick claimer by 13 lengths on very heavy ground though the assessor may have overreacted with a 10lb rise. Jimmy Sewell gained a shock victory in a Southwell maiden and, as that was only his fifth start, there should be more to come. Rosairlie was due to run at Catterick yesterday with a definite chance.
Mamlook (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, 15th of 17, 24l behind Overturn (8-13) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in May '11.
Twelve Strings (IRE) 15-2 (8-11) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 11l behind White Nile (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (3) sft.
Opera Buff 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, led after 4f, ridden and headed narrowly over 2f out, clear with winner when edged right over 1f out, ran on, 2nd of 11, nk behind Harry Hunt (11-12) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Desert Recluse (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon no impression, 9th of 17, 8l behind Be Perfect (9-9) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Allied Answer 20-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 14, 14l behind The Tiger (9-1) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct '12.
Sherman McCoy 11-4 (9-1) Tracked leader, clear with leader 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden clear entering final furlong, won at Catterick 1m 4f clm stks (6) hvy beating Mohawk Ridge (9-1) by 13l, 9 ran.
Rosairlie (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway and hung left over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd inside final 150 yards, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Embsay Crag (9-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Blue Wave (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened from 2f out, 8th of 10, 20l behind Havana Cooler (8-8) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
Jimmy Sewell (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) In touch, under pressure over 5f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, all out, won at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stks (5) fbs in Jun beating Street Artist (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Hot Spice 20-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 15, 12l behind Handheld (9-1) at Nottingham 1m 2f all hcp 0-70 (5) gd.