held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon lost touch
in touch, every chance well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon beaten
mid-division, headway 3f out, not much room briefly 2f out, switched left, ridden over 1f out, one pace
prominent, every chance well over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, headway inside final 2f, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
led, headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up well in rear, came stand side over 4f out, never on terms
in touch, steadied into mid-division after 2f, headway 4f out, challenged going well over 2f out, led over 1f out, well in command final furlong, eased towards finish
held up towards rear, came stand side and headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden 2f out, soon hung left, weakened inside final furlong
always prominent, led 3f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace but no impression on winner
Decameron was out-pointed by the improving Always A Rock last time at Newmarket but is taken to make amends here where another Mark Johnston in-mate Yamal and proven soft ground performer The Osteopath could well emerge as the biggest dangers while the veteran Zero Tolerance can never be left from calculations. The very easy winner of a weak York maiden in mid-June, Decameron could never edge past the ultra game Always A Rock on his handicap debut but with horses who performed with credit at the Goodwood festival in behind, the form looks pretty solid. Rated 92, it could well happen that he proves himself to be better than that and if so, he should go very close today. Yamal holds a five from nine career strike rate with his rating shooting up in the process. 6lb higher for his Goodwood victory, although that was achieved in a large field, one suspects this smaller field possess more quality and thus, this will be tougher. The Osteopath holds all important decent form in these conditions but any drying of the ground will not favour him. Zero Tolerance is another that is proven in testing ground and ran a fine race in defeat on Derby Day at the Curragh when it could be argued that his rider provided him with a lot to do. We'll Come has always shaped more as a seven furlong horse rather than a miler while market support for Webbow would make him of interest given the fact he only made his seasonal debut last time in what was a muddling five runner event. Quite an interesting handicap to open the card and Decameron is the selection.
Turfshuffle (GER) 40-1 (10-0) Always behind, 12th of 13, 10l behind The Kiddykid (9-1) at Chester 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
We'll Come 7-2 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on rails over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Firestreak (8-11) at Goodwood 7f stk 0-95 (2) gf in Jul.
Extraterrestrial 20-1 (8-12) Always towards rear, 11th of 18, 8l behind Fifteen Love (8-12) at Goodwood 1m hcap (2) gf.
Yamal (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Dwelt, held up, headway 2f out, not clear run, squeezed through soon after, switched right to rails, led entering final furlong, driven out, won at Goodwood 1m hcap (3) gd in Jul beating Swop (9-13) by a hd, 20 ran.
Webbow (IRE) 3-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, smooth headway 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 5, 2l behind Billy Dane (8-2) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-60 (2) gf in Jun.
Bahar Shumaal (IRE) 16-1 (8-1) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 15, 6l behind Lovelace (9-6) at Sandown 1m hcap (2) gf in Jul.
Decameron (USA) 5-2fav (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, edged left under pressure, always held, 2nd of 8, nk behind Always A Rock (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Zero Tolerance (IRE) 9-2fav (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden on inner 2f out, short of room and switched to outer 1f out, kept on well close home, 2nd of 18, hd behind Settigano (9-12) at Curragh 1m prm hcp gs in Jun.
The Osteopath (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Raced far side, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, stayed on well, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Redford (8-13) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Jun.
Rainbow Mirage (IRE) 9-4fav (9-12) Mid-division, effort 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Hula Ballew (9-3) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
The Fifth Member (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) In touch, pushed along 3f out, led over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Yamal (9-5) at Goodwood 1m hcap (3) gd in Jul.
