chased clear leader, ridden and outpaced 6f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not trouble front 2
held up, pushed along halfway, behind final 6f, eased from over 1f out, tailed off
soon chasing clear leader, closed over 9f, led 7f out, clear 6f out, carried head high and reluctant 2f out, stayed on and in command well inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 7f out, behind final 6f, eased from over 1f out, tailed off
held up in chasing group, ridden over 5f out, no response, eased from over 1f out, tailed off
held up in chasing group, headway over 6f out, soon went 2nd, close up in 3rd 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway over 6f out, ridden 4f out, pressed winner from well over 1f out until inside final furlong, one pace
driven to lead, soon clear, reduced advantage over 9f out, headed 7f out, soon down pulled, eased from over 1f out, tailed off
Nero West, Madaarek and Acuzio look set to dominate this stayers' handicap, and Madaarek looks likely to follow up a good win last time. Nero's West put a fruitless jumping campaign behind him when scoring in impressive fashion on testing ground at Newcastle a fortnight ago, and racing off a seven pound higher mark, he should not be overlooked. He had earlier finished a good second behind a well handicapped type on faster ground. Acuzio is a consistent type who has obvious claims, and he ran well to be second at Musselburgh last time. However, the winner let the form down when made favourite at Beverley next time, and he has a poor wins to runs record, and is yet to prove himself over this trip so is opposed. Madaarek made hard work of landing the odds at Beverley three outings ago, but after being a beaten favourite at Newbury, turned in a career best dispaly to win what looked a classy handicap at Sandown last time. This sharp track may not entirely suit him as he needs time to find his stride, but the balance of his form is solid, and with three year olds starting to beat their older opponents, Madaarek can score here.
Dr Sharp (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Held up, ridden over 7f out, never dangerous, 9th of 20, 37l behind Juniper Girl (8-11) at Newcastle 2m hcap (2) sft in Jun.
Hello It's Me 18-1 (9-8) Chased leader until before halfway, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 16l behind Great As Gold (8-13) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Nero West (FR) 4-1 (8-3) Made all, stayed on strongly final 2f, won at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Jun beating Great Quest (8-8) by 6l, 7 ran.
Establishment 33-1 (8-8) Held up in 5th, went 3rd 5f out, went 2nd 3f out until over 2f out, soon driven and weakened, 7th of 9, 10l behind Junior (9-2) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Madaarek (USA) 3-1jt-fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead well over 1f out, stayed on driven out, won at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in May beating Squadron (8-5) by 1l, 9 ran.
Acuzio 3-1 (8-13) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on one pace after, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Sudden Impulse (9-5) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcap (5) gs in Jun.
York Cliff 5-1 (8-11) Towards rear, some progress 7f out, soon no impression, 7th of 8, 13l behind Squiffy (8-2) at Warwick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jun.
Al Moulatham 11-1 (9-9) Led, headed over 5f out, weakened 3f out, 11th of 14, 44l behind Charlotte Vale (10-7) at Hamilton 1m 5f ldy rds hcp (6) gs in Jun.
The Nawab (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Always prominent, 3rd halfway, 4th 6f out, 6th early straight, improved into 3rd and challenged under 2f out, kept on, 3rd of 28, 3l behind Sandymount Earl (9-3) at Curragh 2m hcp 0-80 sft.
Pret A Porter (UAE) 80-1 (8-12) Fractious in stalls, slowly away, in rear until passed weakening horses final furlong, 8th of 15, 25l behind Mahler (9-1) at Ascot 2m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Jun.
