chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
chased leaders, headway to press leaders and every chance from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
bumped and hampered start, held up, headway over 2f out, chance when sqeezeed against stands side rail and hampered 1f out, rallied towards finish
held up, headway 2f out, led inside final furlong, soon headed and bumped heavily and carried left near finish (awarded race)
went left start, led and soon clear, headed 2f out, soon weakened
went right start, held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and ever chance over 1f out, led briefly inside final furlong, kept on
chased clear leader, ridden and led 2f out, headed and edged right inside final furlong, no extra
always in rear
dwelt, held up, headway over 2f out, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, squeezed through between horses 1f out, soon led, driven and drifted badly left and bumped rival near finish (disqualified and placed 2nd)
hampered start, held up, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
CELTIC SULTAN came right back to his best when dominating to win over this trip at Ayr last time and if he can dictate matters from the front then he will be hard to pass on ground that suits, with Mahadee and Damika likely dangers. Clive Brittain's Mahadee ran on strongly off a moderate pace to score over a mile at Salisbury last time and carries a 6lb penalty today. He will need to improve to defy that, but he has conditions to suit, although this trip may be a bit on the sharp side for him. Damika is more of a 6f specialist, but he has twice won over today's distance and handles fast ground. His problem appears more likely to be what the handicapper is asking of him. Esoterica has the same issue to address and Santefisio may be a better proposition after just failing to win from today's mark at Goodwood, and with trip and going ideal. Ancient Cross is in cracking form but looks vulnerable and Celtic Sultan gets the vote.
Mirrored 66-1 (9-2) Always rear division, 28th of 29, 33l behind Dandy Boy (8-13) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gf in May.
Damika (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Towards rear stands side, never dangerous, weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 12th of 13, 27l behind Jonny Mudball (9-9) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Esoterica (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Towards rear and keen, headway over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Camerooney (8-7) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Mahadee (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Held up in last quartet on rails, not clear run on rail from over 2f out until gap appeared inside final 2f, soon challenging, led inside final furlong, ran on well, comfortably, won at Salisbury 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun beating Benandonner (9-4) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Celtic Sultan (IRE) 3-1 (9-6) Made all at good clip, clear over 3f out, driven over 1f out, unchallenged, won at Ayr 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun beating Imperial Djay (8-2) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Excusez Moi (USA) 16-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, in rear stands side, stayed on final furlong, went 3rd fonal 100 yards, no impression, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Jonny Mudball (9-9) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Aldermoor (USA) 8-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, unable to quicken when not much room inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Opus Maximus (9-9) at Chester 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Game Lad 10-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, stayed on from over 1f out, never able to challenge, 5th of 10, 7l behind Camerooney (8-7) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Ancient Cross 10-3 (9-7) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Amethyst Dawn (8-8) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Colonel Mak 25-1 (8-7) Held up mid-division, ridden halfway, soon no impression, 9th of 20, 8l behind Victoire De Lyphar (8-7) at York 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun.
Santefisio 10-3 (9-7) Held up in last pair, pushed along 3f out, headway between horses over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, soon challenging under pressure, stayed on, just failed, 2nd of 8, ns behind Zero Money (8-13) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
