hampered start, held up mid-division, under pressure 3f out, soon beaten
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, edged right, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace
behind, headway 2f out, driven to challenge over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, not reach leaders
tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, one pace approaching final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch, switched left and driven to challenge over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, driven out
held up mid-division, some headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden and effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, raced keenly, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on well, never on terms
went left start, held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon no impression
went right start, led, challenged over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up towards rear, never dangerous
Gulf Express can land this competitive handicap to open the card; the list of dangers is headed by Many Volumes and Laa Rayb. Sir Michael Stoute's colt showed progressive form last season and handicappers from this yard do tend to go on improving. He has gone well fresh in the past so the lack of a recent run is not too much of a concern and with his favoured ground conditions here and he does stand out as the one to beat. Many Volumes is the obvious danger as he chased home Gulf Express at Pontefract in September on his last run. The pair are closely-matched from that run, and on these terms there should not be much between them today. Laa Rayb has plenty of ability but he was a little disappointing last time and he tackles this trip for the first time today. He should improve for this extra couple of furlongs though and he has to be on the shortlist. Hughie Morrison won this race last year with Supaseus, but he has since been very disappointing and he can't be backed with any confidence at present. Heaven Knows arrives here fit from a couple of recent outings so he could also go well, but Gulf Express looks a progressive sort and he should take all the beating.
Many Volumes (USA) 5-4jt-fav (9-10) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, nk behind Gulf Express (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Sept.
Laa Rayb (USA) 15-8 (9-4) Held up in rear but in touch, ridden, carried head arkwadly over 1f out, edged left, no impression inside final furlong, 3rd of 4, 4l behind Ragheed (8-10) at Warwick 1m 3yo hcp (2) gf in Sept.
Gulf Express (USA) 5-4jt-fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out, won at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Sept beating Many Volumes (9-10) by a nk, 6 ran.
Fishforcompliments 10-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort to chase winner over 2 out, kept on, no impression, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Markab (8-8) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Apr.
King Charles 8-1 (8-6) Mid-division, going well 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed close home, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Glen Nevis (8-9) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 2f hcp gd in Feb.
Supaseus 16-1 (8-12) Prominent over 6f, 28th of 34, 27l behind Pipedreamer (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gf in Oct.
Heaven Knows 11-2 (9-4) Slowly into stride, in rear, steady headway over 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Cabinet (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Apr.
Proponent (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Chased leader to over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Lang Shining (8-11) at Newbury 1m hcap (2) sft in Apr.
Kingsdale Orion (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) In rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 17, 8l behind Lang Shining (8-11) at Newbury 1m hcap (2) sft in Apr.
Sound of Nature (USA) 9-2jt-fav (8-11) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened quickly, tailed off, last of 17, well behind Lang Shining (8-11) at Newbury 1m hcap (2) sft in Apr.
Free Offer 12-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, progress to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 9, hd behind Habalwatan (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Humble Opinion 12-1 (8-4) Took keen hold, in touch, effort 2f out chased winner final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Jamboretta (8-6) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
Ella Woodcock (IRE) 40-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 13th of 16, 23l behind Cabinet (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Apr.
Oceana Gold 13-2 (8-10) Led, headed over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, 2nd of 18, 1l behind Bankable (8-11) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp (4) gs in Sept.
Folio (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Held up towards rear, took closer order over 5f out, every chance 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, won at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr beating Proper (8-9) by a hd, 8 ran.
Kinsya 9-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 9, 1/2l behind Grand Passion (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stk (1) pol in Nov.
Vainglory (USA) 25-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, soon beaten, 8th of 16, 17l behind Jalil (9-4) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 2f hcp gf in Feb.
