tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven over 1f out, one pace final furlong
close up, ridden 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up, never near leaders
led, ridden over 2f out, stayed on and headed towards finish
stumbled start, in rear, ridden 2f out, never nearer
chased leaders, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong
slow into stride, soon mid-division, headway when hung right over 1f out, switched left carried head high approaching final furlong, driven inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, effort entering final furlong, soon one paced
chased leaders, ridden to chase leader 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
always in rear
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
keen in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
A big field for this handicap but it should chiefly concern Night Knight, Edgeworth, Drum Dragon, and our selection AL QEDDAAF. The selection was a very easy winner on soft ground at Yarmouth last time, but these conditions should hold no fears. A 6lb penalty does not look enough to stop the Alhaarth gelding following up and there should be plenty more to come from him starting tonight. Edgeworth was another last time winner, and was probably value for more than the official half length margin after meeting with trouble in running. He appears best on good to firm ground, however, and he might have to settle for the frame in this more competitive event. Night Knight was another easy scorer when Michael Bell sent him to Redcar and applied first-time headgear five weeks ago. If the visor has a similar effect then he has to be considered a serious danger, even with a 9lb rise in the weights. Drum Dragon showed her best form to date when stepped up to nine furlongs at Wolverhampton earlier in the month. She has gone up 3lbs as a result but is not ruled out of taking home some money. Avoir Choisi represents a yard going well but has a bit to prove after a couple of moderate efforts so far this season, while Carbon Hoofprint may emerge more competitive after a good run in a Newbury handicap last time. However, Al Qeddaaf made a big impression at Yarmouth and is taken to follow up.
Sapphire Prince (USA) 16-1 (9-7) Always behind, ridden over 2f out, no headway, 8th of 13, 15l behind Love Pegasus (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Avoir Choisi (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Dwelt, always in rear, 10th of 14, 16l behind Silent Hero (9-6) at Southwell 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Grand Honour (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 9l behind Beautiful Breeze (9-2) at Warwick 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Carbon Hoofprint 12-1 (9-3) Led after 2f, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on well for a clear 2nd, not pace of winner, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Peking Prince (9-2) at Newbury 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Al Qeddaaf (IRE) 15-8fav (9-7) Held up, headway approaching 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, edged right and ran on final furlong, comfortably, won at Yarmouth 1m 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) sft beating Surprise Party (9-4) by 4 1/2l, 15 ran.
Striding Edge (IRE) 13-2 (8-8) Towards rear, not clear run over 1f out, edged right and bumped rival, no room and checked, not recover, soon eased, 8th of 10, 8l behind Seek The Fair Land (8-10) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr.
Hawk's Eye 5-2fav (8-13) Held up, headway when short of room over 1f out, soon switched right, no impression after, 9th of 13, 5l behind Global (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Night Knight (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Stumbled start, switched left after 1f, held up, steady headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and kept on well, won at Redcar 1m 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) fm in May beating Royal Premium (8-5) by 2 3/4l, 18 ran.
Waahej 6-1 (9-3) Soon led on stand rail, ridden 2f out, hung right and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 5l behind Outofoil (9-3) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Aug.
Mutually Mine (USA) 11-4 (9-4) Led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Wunder Strike (8-4) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Edgeworth (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, ridden to lead close home, won at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Fajita (9-4) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Big Nige (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) In rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 9l behind Doncosaque (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Caerus (USA) 25-1 (9-2) Held up, driven and headway over 2f out, one pace approaching final furlong, 6th of 18, 4l behind Cheap Thrills (9-5) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Petsas Pleasure 18-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out, 12th of 14, 17l behind Silent Hero (9-6) at Southwell 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Sultans Way (IRE) 4-1 (8-9) Held up, effort over 1f out, one paced final furlong, last of 7, 7l behind Sequillo (8-11) at Windsor 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Drum Dragon 14-1 (9-7) Raced keenly, close up, ridden to lead 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 13, nk behind Cool Hand Jake (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
