in touch 2f, soon lost place and behind entering straight, never dangerous afterwards
held up, chased leaders over 2f out, effort over 1f out, weakened rapidly final furlong
held up in touch, ridden and effort 2f out, not pace to challenge over 1f out, kept on
held up and behind, headway on outer over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd final furlong, not reached leaders
mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression on leaders until ran on inside final furlong, never nearer
slowly into stride, towards rear, moderate late headway well over 1f out, never dangerous
held up in touch, ridden to lead just over 2f out, kept on well until headed and no extra final half furlong
behind, headway 2f out, not able to challenge, one pace final furlong
chased leaders 3f, soon under pressure and beaten
tracked leader, every chance just over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out and soon eased
led until headed just over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up towards rear, steady headway 2f out, ran on well to lead final half furlong, soon clear
took keen hold, held up in touch, lost place on inner 4f out, kept on and hung left final furlong, not reach leaders
In the finale, the vote goes to Oligarch ahead of Ghurra and Guildenstern. The selection has not really built on his promising seasonal return, when second to River Royale, and he then ran a stinker on good to soft at York last time. However, with his good draw and the proven ability to handle a switchback track, he could yet remain reasonably weighted if putting his best foot forward and, accordingly, gets the nod. While a wide draw puts us off the likes of Dahteer and Mafaheem, Ghurra was very much an eyecatcher as an unlucky loser at Doncaster last time, and she is respected and is also likely to attract money. There is nothing wrong with Guildenstern's form and he too is very much respected as, in particular, he should be ok on the cambers, although, not for the first time, he has not fared well with the draw. Tagula Sunrise has got the box seat, which should ensure a good run, while, of the others, Chief Exec might have better to come on Turf, the lightly-raced Sky Crusader remains of interest in handicaps this season, and Prince Tum Tum is always capable of popping up at this level. However, for today, we will side with Oligarch.
Beaver Patrol (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Held up in mid-division and keen, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Home Affairs (8-6) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp 0-110 (2) gd in May.
Rajwa (USA) 6-4fav (8-11) Held up, smooth progress to join winner over 1f out, ridden approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Galeota (9-1) at Doncaster 6f 2yo stk (C2) gf in Sept.
Dahteer (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) In touch, outpaced halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Intoxicating (9-4) at Nottingham 6f 3yo hcp (3) gf in May.
Amazin 33-1 (9-2) Reared start, outpaced, 10th of 11, 22l behind Intoxicating (9-4) at Nottingham 6f 3yo hcp (3) gf in May.
Mafaheem 9-2 (9-7) Prominent, led over 2f out, soon ridden and kept on until headed close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Briannsta (9-9) at Hamilton 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.
Ghurra (USA) 17-2 (9-4) Held up, headway over 1f out, switched right approaching final furlong, ran on towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Bobski (8-9) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in May.
Dhaular Dhar (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden and hampered over 1f out, not recover and eased, 11th of 12, 16l behind Enforcer (8-9) at Goodwood 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Guildenstern (IRE) 6-1 (8-7) Steadied start, held up, ridden over 1f out, ran on and edged left inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Resplendent Glory (9-1) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs in May.
Tagula Sunrise (IRE) 25-1 (8-0) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 16, 8l behind Home Affairs (8-6) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp 0-110 (2) gd in May.
Oligarch (IRE) 11-4 (8-9) Tracked leader, driven along 3f out, soon beaten, last of 7, 15l behind Mineral Star (8-4) at York 7f 3yo hcp (3) gs in May.
Chief Exec 14-1 (9-0) Keen, held up in rear, kept on never dangerous, 4th of 6, 6l behind Party Boss (9-7) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (C1) pol in Feb.
Rain Stops Play (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, one pace, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Bobski (8-9) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in May.
Sky Crusader 12-1 (9-1) Mid-division, effort on outside 2f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 16, 5l behind Kerashan (8-13) at Kempton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.
Hadrian (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, soon beaten, 7th of 12, 5l behind Bobski (8-9) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in May.
