steadied start, held up in last place, ridden over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, ran on final furlong, never near leaders
with leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, forged clear towards finish
slowly into stride, held up mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2f out going well, soon ridden, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
held up in touch, effort to press winner when hung right over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden, headway 2f out, effort approaching final furlong, one pace
keen, close up, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong
keen, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
A decent looking handicap this, with more than half the scheduled starters having won a race before, and from a trio of Irony, Manchurian and Castles In The Air, we'll select Irony. Andrew Balding's gelding was touched off into second at Chepstow last week, when the soft ground may have beaten him; he could be the one set to set the pace here, and try to make all. He's the yard's only runner at the track, David Probert can take off a handy 7 pounds, and he's got the benefit of a decent draw too. Manchurian carries top weight, and is a recent decent priced winner at Goodwood when coming from off the pace, and similar tactics may be employed here. Castles In The Air also has a Newmarket entry tomorrow, but may find this an easier contest to win. But we'll stick with Irony to make a first visit to the winners' enclosure in 2 years.
Manchurian 10-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, shaken up over 1f out, ran on well to lead close home, won at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun beating Golden Desert (9-7) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Irony (IRE) 7-2fav (9-2) Led, headed over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Arabian Spirit (9-3) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Divertimenti (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 14l behind Dado Mush (8-3) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in May.
Royal Storm (IRE) 6-5fav (9-5) Made all, ridden over 3f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Salisbury 7f clm (5) gf beating Mister Fips (9-4) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Eastern Emperor 4-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, ran on well, comfortably, won at Windsor 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun beating Follow The Flag (10-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Papillio (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Prominent, ridden 3f out, drifted left over 1f out, faded, 5th of 10, 8l behind Kalahari Gold (9-3) at Salisbury 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Internationaldebut (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Decameron (9-3) at York 1m 3yo mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Castles In The Air 10-3 (9-9) Prominent, led just over 2f out, soon ridden, edged left approaching final furlong, headed near finish, 3rd of 7, shd behind Danish Art (9-8) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp (4) frm in Jun.
Bold Cross (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden 2f out, held when slightly hampered well over 1f out, last of 7, 8l behind Arabian Spirit (9-3) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Rum Jungle 11-1 (9-8) Chased leader over 6f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Paint The Town Red (8-8) at Great Leighs 1m mdn aut stk (6) pol in Jun.
Ten To The Dozen 16-1 (9-0) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Warwick 1m clm (5) gf beating Casablanca Minx (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Petrosian 11-2 (8-11) Tracked leader, led 8f out, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 17l behind Bentley Brook (9-2) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Feb.
Dancing Maite 15-8fav (9-2) Always prominent, chased winner over 2f out, challenged briefly well over 1f out, beaten entering final furlong, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Master of Arts (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in May.
Secret Night 11-2 (9-13) Steadied start, chasing leaders when not clear run over 1f out, squeezed through final furlong, ran on strongly, took 2nd near finish, just failed, 2nd of 9, shd behind La Coveta (9-4) at Newbury 7f fll hcp (4) gf.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 11-4fav (9-9) Close up, ridden and every chance 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Elusive Hawk (9-8) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
