close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on to lead towards finish
tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well from over 1f out
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on, headed towards finish
A nice staying handicap for us to get our teeth into and Mister Arjay, Tonnante, Spanish Diva and Kyber are all among those considered, with Spanish Diva getting our vote. The selection was slightly unlucky when stepped up to this trip at Haydock last time, when Royston Ffrench dropped the reins when challenging, and the filly was beaten only just over a length. She certainly appreciated the step up in trip and she acts on fast ground, so she looks worth another chance. Mister Arjay is 5lb higher than when winning over two miles at York last time. He also has his ground here, but he is plenty high enough in the weights and can go well without winning. Tonnante was not far away over c&d last time out but has gone up 3lb for that defeat and won't find this any easier, and a better proposition may be Kyber, who loves it here and although 4lb higher than his best win, can give a very good account of himself. Hurricane Thomas and Boxhall look best of the rest, but Spanish Diva gets the nod.
Mister Arjay (USA) 20-1 (9-6) Led, soon clear until 11f out, ridden and quickened pace over 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, won at York 2m hcap (4) gf beating Missoula (9-1) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Boxhall (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, led after 1f, ridden and headed over 3f out, kept on, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Casual Affair (9-1) at York 1m 6f app hcp (5) gf.
Spanish Diva 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, lost place over 7f out, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Irish Quest (9-5) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Tonnante 11-8fav (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra when lost 2nd toward finish, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Toparudi (9-13) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcap (4) gs.
Hurricane Thomas (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 9l behind Irish Quest (9-5) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Danzatrice 13-2 (9-5) In rear, headway over 3f out, one pace, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 8l behind Casual Affair (9-1) at York 1m 6f app hcp (5) gf.
Kyber 8-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 14l behind Toparudi (9-13) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcap (4) gs.
Revolving World (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 10, 9l behind Regency Red (9-6) at Beverley 1m 4f sll hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Sonara (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 7l behind Irish Quest (9-5) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
