tracked leading trio on inside, challenged 2f out, soon led, ridden and kept on, headed over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd post
behind, ridden 3f out, never dangerous
always in rear, last and struggling 3f out
soon close up on outside, went 2nd 8f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced in mid-division on outside, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in mid-division on inside, good headway travelling well and switched left off rail over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon in command stayed on strongly
soon crossed over to track leader until 8f out, stayed in 3rd, driven 2f out, soon beaten
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd post, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, pushed along on outside 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, finished well, never going pace to reach leaders
close up in 4th, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out
led and set strong pace, kicked on over 2f out, headed 2f out, chased leading pair until last half furlong, weakened towards finish
always towards rear, no chance final 2f
mid-division on inside, driven along and unable to quicken over 2f out, switched left off rail over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to get to leaders
always towards rear, pushed along and struggling 3f out
Nonrunner
Tartan Gigha is hard to overlook in search of the hat-trick but we prefer fellow Epsom winner FIERY LAD, with the unexposed Rainbow Peak another in with solid claims of landing the contest. The last-named is considered a horse capable of making his mark in group races by Michael Jarvis and there's little reason to doubt that following an excellent second on his return at York. That day he had plenty to do in a race that favoured those that raced prominently, but there's a feeling that he needs a bit of give in the ground to be at his absolute best and for that reason we'll oppose in favour of Fiery Lad. Luca Cumani is an excellent man to have on side when trying to solve such a complex handicap and his horse won nicely at Epsom last time. A 5lb rise doesn't appear excessive and the way he made up ground when finally out in the clear last time suggested there'd be plenty more to come from him; unlike Rainbow Peak quick conditions will suit and he's likely to run a huge race. Tartan Gigha did very well to get up over slightly shorter last time, suggesting this trip will be well within reach, and as a tactically versatile improver from a top yard has to be included in calculations. The 4lb rise he's incurred is far from excessive and his Sandown defeat prior to this winning spree has worked out well; we wouldn't seek to put anyone off his chances. Kingdom Of Fife won the Zetland at Redcar last year and went on to run well in better company than this, but as a consequence he's rated a rather lofty 110 and we're doubtful he's up to winning such a strong contest off that mark, so a bigger threat might be Salute Him. Tony Martin's charge has won three times at this trip on a variety of ground and had a spin over hurdles to tee him up for this target. When last seen on the flat in Dubai he ran a blinder off just a pound lower and with Johnny Murtagh up connections clearly mean business, however for all that the trainer must be respected his record over here is moderate. Indian Days is 4lbs higher than when beaten in a York handicap two starts back and, whilst his effort in Listed company last time was a good one, it's hard to envisage him being well enough treated to take this. Antinori has a bit to find with our selection on that Epsom run but he was having his first start in some time and may have a little improvement in him, although we don't expect him to reverse the form despite being 6lbs better off. Albaqaa has the beating of Tartan Gihga on Pontefract form but the latter wasn't at his best that day and Richard Fahey may struggle to add to his meeting tally with this one. Eastern Aria had a great year last term but she's paying the price for that with this rating and hasn't looked a winner in waiting this time and we'll return to Fiery Lad.
Kingdom of Fife 15-2 (9-0) Mid-division on inside, outpaced 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final, never troubled leaders, 5th of 8, 6l behind Debussy (9-0) at Chester 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
Fiery Lad (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Raced in last place, headway when not clear run 2f out, soon switched to outer, ridden and strong run to lead towards finish, won at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp (2) gd beating Ramona Chase (7-12) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Halicarnassus (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Tracked winner until 7f out, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 8, 23l behind Holberg (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gd.
Traffic Guard (USA) 6-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, steadied to mid-division after 3f, headway over 2f out, hampered over 1f out, ran on, 5th of 8, 4l behind Class Is Class (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gd in May.
Steele Tango (USA) 25-1 (9-3) Held up in 6th, effort on outside 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 8l behind Stotsfold (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gf in May.
Rainbow Peak (IRE) 7-2fav (9-2) Held up well of the pace, ridden over 2f out, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd post, 2nd of 10, hd behind Fareer (9-1) at York 1m listed hcp 0-110 (1) gf in May.
Eastern Aria (UAE) (8-9) 4th of 5, 7l behind Eye Of The Tiger (9-0) at Cologne(GER) 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) sft in May.
Kings Gambit (SAF) (9-1) 5th of 12, 5l behind Tertullus (9-1) at Taby(SWE) 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gd.
Salute Him (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Once More Dubai (9-6) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3f hcap in Mar.
Tartan Gigha (IRE) 6-1 (9-10) Mid-division, switched right over 2f out, chased leader 1f out, driven and ran on to lead post, won at Epsom Downs 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gd beating Set The Trend (9-3) by shd, 14 ran.
Indian Days 6-1 (8-12) Led, strongy challenged from well over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, soon rallied and every chance, weakened close home, 4th of 8, 4l behind Class Is Class (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gd in May.
Beauchamp Xerxes 25-1 (9-4) In rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 9, 4l behind Bushman (9-4) at Epsom Downs 1m Grp 3 (1) gd.
Three Moons (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Close up, weakened 3f out, eased, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Les Fazzani (9-1) at Haydock 1m 4f fll lst stks (1) gs in May.
Antinori (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) In rear, headway on outer 2f out, soon hung left, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Fiery Lad (9-8) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp (2) gd.
Albaqaa 7-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Forte Dei Marmi (9-3) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf in May.
Cloudy Start 9-2 (9-4) 9th of 10, 27l behind Luca Brasi (9-4) at Jagersro(SWE) 1m 4f Listed stks (1) in May.
