hampered start, held up in last pair, never dangerous
prominent, led over 4f out, headed over 1f out, soon rallied, no extra final furlong
chased leaders, lost place over 5f out, eased over 2f out, virtually pulled up
went right start, behind, headway over 1f out, never on terms
led until over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 4f out, chased leaders over 2f out, switched right to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on strongly
hampered start, mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon no impression
in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
hampered start, chased leaders, led over 1f out, soon hung right, headed inside final furlong, no extra
Esspeegee has won six of his last eight, three of them on Tapeta at Newcastle, and though last of five at Leicester last time he got no sort of run and may not be finished yet. A line through the winner that day gives him the edge over Gravity Wave while Starlight Mystery ran poorly when tried over this trip at Newmarket. Brian Meehan tries BROTHER RALPH in blinkers and steps him up markedly in trip for his handicap debut. He's very well bred and should have more to offer so gets the nod in the expectation the distance will suit. It's rare to see one from the Stoute camp at the bottom of a low-grade handicap but Refrain, who is by Dubawi out of a Grade 1 winner, is another stepping up in trip and likely to improve.
Esspeegee 5-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, held up tracking leaders on inside, pushed along over 4f out, hung right 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 5 1/4l behind Panko (9-13) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Gravity Wave (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Tracked leader until ridden over 2f out, chased leaders weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Panko (9-13) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Don Keyhoe Tay (IRE) 3-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along to track leaders, chased winner over 5f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 16 1/4l behind Count Montecristo (9-5) at Hamilton 1m mdn stks (5) gd in Sep.
Bamako Du Chatelet (FR) 4-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, soon behind, tailed off when eased over 1f out, last of 5, 31 1/4l behind Port Douglas (10-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Starlight Mystery (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened and behind, 7th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Ashington (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Zilara (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) In touch in rear, pushed along after 4f, ridden over 2f out, went 3rd and kept on inside final furlong, not pace to reach front pair, 3rd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Surya (9-0) at Newcastle 1m 4f stks (5) pol in Jun.
Brother Ralph (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, ran on, nearest finish, 4th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Red Starlight (9-3) at Newmarket 1m stks (4) gf in Jun.
Forbidding (USA) 40-1 (10-0) In rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 6th of 8, 22l behind Saroog (10-0) at Goodwood 1m 6f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
Refrain (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Mid-division, headway and switched right over 2f out, went 3rd and kept on inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 3rd of 12, 11 3/4l behind Wissahickon (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f stks (5) pol in May.
