always prominent, raced keenly, led 2f out, edged left inside final furlong, joined on post
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon dropped away
chased leader, led over 3f out, headed 2f out, edged left inside final furlong, not quicken close home
in touch, hanging left inside final 2f, not clear run over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
in touch, ridden 2f out, edged right over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway 2f out, switched right inside final furlong, stayed on to join winner post
held up in rear, weakened 2f out
Nonrunner
A decent staying handicap where MERCHANT OF DUBAI looks capable of coming back to form, while there are a number of others with claims. Alan Swinbank's runner has been dropped to a mark of 92 since being beaten here over 10f last time, so he is now just 2lbs higher than his last winning mark. Stamina is not as issue as he has twice scored over this trip at Musselburgh, although it is a slight concern that he has usually raced when there is some cut in the ground. His sire won twice on fast ground, however, so there is hope he will handle it and we will side with him. Recession Proof represents the in-form Simon Callaghan and should stay 1m 4f now, but this is a marked step up from 10f, and despite looking progressive there have to be doubts over his ability to stay this far. Cyborg should stay this far and acts on fast ground, so from a mark 5lbs higher than his only success he can get competitive. Trip The Light has to be short list material after some thoroughly consistent form over the past couple of seasons, including at this trip, although the handicapper might just have the final say today. Richard Hannon's Malt Or Mash was a claimer winner last time but needs to improve and also prove his stamina over this trip, while the assessor will probably need to do Clive Cox's Murcar a favour before his stomach for the battle can see him home in front again. Merchant Of Dubai is suggested here.
Merchant Of Dubai 9-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Ajhar (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f cond Stakes (2) gd.
Tungsten Strike (USA) 11-1 (9-9) In touch, went 2nd 6f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 11l behind Aaim To Prosper (8-9) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Rugell (ARG) 25-1 (9-3) Close up, ridden over 2f out, driven and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 12l behind Ajhar (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f cond Stakes (2) gd.
Trip The Light 7-2fav (10-9) Soon in touch, led over 1f out, staying on when headed post, 2nd of 13, shd behind Inspector Clouseau (10-0) at Catterick 1m 4f am hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Cyborg 6-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, headway on outer over 2f out, chased leaders 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind High Ambition (8-8) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Recession Proof (FR) 13-8fav (7-13) Keen in touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Whispering Gallery (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Royal Trooper (IRE) 33-1 (8-1) Always in rear, 11th of 13, 28l behind Akmal (9-3) at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Malt Or Mash (USA) 5-4fav (9-12) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead well inside final furlong, all out, won at Newbury 1m 3f clm stks (5) gf beating Nawamees (8-8) by hd, 7 ran.
Murcar 9-2 (10-0) Pulled hard tracking leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Saborido (8-7) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
