reared start, unseated rider
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out, eased final furlong
hampered start, held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, just failed
chased leaders over 4 furlong
steadied start, pulled hard, held up, headway halfway, kept on final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
in touch, ridden over 2f out, chased winner briefly inside final furlong, kept on
jumped right, raced keenly, made all, 3 lengths clear halfway, ridden over 1f out, all out
chased leaders, ridden and chased winner over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, not trouble leaders
behind, staying on when short of room and hampered 1f out, not recover
in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
always behind
mid-division, weakened 3f out
pulled hard, held up, always behind
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, stayed on inside final furlong but never dangerous
This year's renewal of this valuable handicap seems as competitive as ever, and a number of the field have decent looking claims; last year's first and second, Mine and Grizedale, should both go close once again but we'll take a chance with Enchanted to provide a bit more value. Grizedale was trained by Ed Dunlop last season and was promoted to second in this race after being beaten a head by dead-heaters Mine and Capricho. Now in the care of Capricho's trainer John Akehurst, who will be desperate to recoup losses after not putting the weight cloth on that horse last year, he races off a mark just a pound higher than last year, and on the back of a smart win at Goodwood, Grizedale must hold outstanding claims. Mine is arguably better than ever this year, having won a competitive race at Doncaster and finishing third in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot. A seven furlong specialist who will love the conditions, he must hold strong claims of gaining a repeat win off a seven pound higher mark. Court Masterpiece, Camp Commander and Tough Love all reached the frame in big field Royal Ascot handicaps. All have sound each-way claims in an open race. The French raider By Far should by no means be discounted, he finished a fine sixth in the ultra-competitive International handicap at Ascot last year and is running off the same mark today. However, we just side with Enchanted, who caught the eye when flying home over an inadequate six furlongs in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot last month. George Margarson's colt will relish this return to seven furlongs. He has strong each-way claims and it is very interesting that Kieren Fallon has been booked to ride, as he would presumably have had the option of riding Mine, whom he won on in this race last year.
