always in rear, ridden and weakened 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
tracked winner until 2f out, ridden and weakened
slowly into stride, pulled hard in rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders
steadied start, held up in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
made all, ridden and ran on final furlong
in touch, ridden to chase winner 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Rafta is in a purple patch at the moment and still could improve past his increased burden while Sunshine Always probably sets the standard in the form stakes in this handicap but with proven heavy ground form in the book KILLACHY STAR gets the call. After winning back to back races at the start of the summer the selection has run a couple of solid efforts off marks a pound heavier than he carries here. In normal circumstances his burden might look a little high but having found bottomless ground at Ayr just to his liking at about this time last year he may find enough improvement to score. Rafta is searching for a four-timer with one of those previous wins coming over course and distance on soft ground. While in this mood he should run another big race but with six pounds added to his burden in these conditions he might just be found wanting. Sunshine Always ran well in this company off this rating last time and would have been our selection if conditions were firmer while Imaam is another who would prefer things drier. It could be the ground that decides this race and Killachy Star should handle it the best.
Viva Ronaldo (IRE) 80-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders far side until weakened over 2f out, 23rd of 30, 17l behind Fareer (8-10) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Kyllachy Star 8-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, driven 2f out, headway on outside and stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Suruor (8-12) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Jul.
El Loco Uno (USA) 4-1fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, no headway and weakened quickly over 1f out, 7th of 9, 12l behind The Cayterers (9-1) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun.
Kings Troop 25-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden over 3f, soon beaten, 16th of 18, 13l behind Henderson Park (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Sunshine Always (IRE) 6-5fav (9-1) Held up in touch, headway and every chance over 1f out, soon ridden and no extra, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Bravo Echo (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jul.
Imaam 8-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon edged left, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Glen Molly (9-5) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Rafta (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) Dwelt, held up, headway 2f out, soon every chance, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Thirsk 6f fll hcp (5) gd in Jul beating Jilly Why (9-6) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
