wore hood to post, mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 3f out, stayed on in 4th inside final furlong, never going pace to threaten
mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders 4f out, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
started very slowly, in rear, headway out wide and stayed on inside final furlong, never able to challenge
wore hood to post, raced keenly tracking leaders, challenged going well and every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong
steadied and switched left start, held up towards rear, headway out wide 2f out, edging left when not clear run and switched right over 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge
raced keenly and forced wide in mid-division, headway out wide chasing leaders home turn, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened quickly
held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
wore hood to post, held up towards rear, steady headway out wide 3f out, ridden to challenge and hung left from over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
led until ridden and headed 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders until pushed along over 3f out, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
This form of this Class 2 handicap is usually worth following. SAM COOKE (NAP) is already a six-year-old but has gone well on the Knavesmire in the past and appears to be making up for lost time. William Haggas won this last year so the progressive Gaassee seems sure to attract market support. Global Storm was third in a Group 2 in Dubai and Harry Davies can take a valuable 7lb off the top weight while Noble Masquerade has the benefit of a recent win under his belt at Windsor. Just Fine doesn’t have many miles on the clock and the trainer has saddled the winners of this race in the past but the trip is a bit of a concern.
Global Storm (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Hukum (9-0) at Meydan 1m 4f Grp 2 fst in Mar.
Zabeel Champion 11-4fav (10-8) Led, joined 5th, led narrowly 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, rallied and led again final 110 yards on run-in, stayed on gamely, won at Haydock 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr beating Castel Gandolfo (10-10) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
On To Victory 13-2 (10-9) Held up in last pair, effort out wide 2 out, stayed on run-in, went never dangerous 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Marie's Rock (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Sam Cooke (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Raced keenly towards rear, good headway near side of group chasing leaders over 2f out, went 2nd approaching final furlong, no chance with winner, dropped to 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 23, 2l behind Farhan (8-3) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Just Fine (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Kept wide 1st 2f, held up in rear, steady headway on inside over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, never any chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Majestic Dawn (9-12) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Dark Jedi (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Keen in touch, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Cemhaan (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in May.
Graphite (FR) 40-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway near side of group 2f out, 6th and no impression final furlong, 6th of 23, 6 1/4l behind Farhan (8-3) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Gaassee (IRE) 8-15fav (9-7) Soon tracking leader, led 2f out, quickened clear from 1f out, easily, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Trevolli (8-10) by 5l, 4 ran.
Kings Prince 9-2 (9-2) Led 3f, tracked winner until 3f out, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Going Gone (9-4) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Noble Masquerade 13-8fav (9-7) Mostly tracked leader who went clear halfway, plenty to do when pushed along 3f out, closed gradually over 2f out, eased out over 1f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, soon clear, won at Windsor 1m 3f hcp (4) gf in Apr beating Croeso Cymraeg (9-4) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Forza Orta (IRE) 6-4fav (8-6) Chased front pair, strongly pressed leader from 3f out, ridden 2f out and sustained duel with runner-up, stayed on grimly to lead final 110 yards, won at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp (3) gs in May beating Tribal Art (9-7) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
