tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon one pace
led, hung left and headed over 2f out, soon one pace
mid-division, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon no impression
always towards rear, tailed off
held up in touch, hard ridden and under pressure 2f out, soon beaten
held up in rear, some headway over 1f out, never on terms
chased leaders, led over 2f out, driven clear inside final furlong, readily
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, never on terms
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Plenty of in-form performers in this closely-knit handicap but nothing comes here in better nick than ASKAR TAU and he can defy a further 8lb rise in the weights. Always Bold and Any Given Day may turn out to be the main dangers. Marcus Tregoning has a really progressive performer on his hands and whilst he may not have been beating much of note, today is the real acid test. Favourites have done well in this race in recent years and he should go close. Heavy ground would be an unknown, and that may play into the hands of Armure who is progressive and handled soft ground as a juvenile. Any Given Day has been in top form of late, winning two of his last three starts although quick ground is his preference. Similar comments apply to Always Bold, whilst Rajeh and Birkside have plenty of weight to shoulder. Sea Chorus is interesting; David Kinsella is a good light-weight jockey and this horse looks a strong stayer so testing ground placing emphasis on stamina could suit. Paktolos is another to consider in an open race, but Askar Tau gets our vote.
Rajeh (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Took keen hold early, tracked leader to 6f out, stayed prominent, pushed along 3f out, one pace, no impression when left 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Sanbuch (10-0) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcap (2) gd in Jul.
Birkside 9-1 (9-9) Towards rear, ridden along and headway over 2f out, ran on to lead briefly inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 15, shd behind Night Hour (10-0) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Ollie George (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Soon led, driven over 3f out, headed 2f out, rallied to lead again well inside final furlong, gamely, won at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun beating Fregate Island (8-6) by a shd, 8 ran.
Paktolos (FR) 4-1jt-fav (9-8) Slowly into stride, steady headway halfway, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, hung right and no extra, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Sahrati (9-2) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Horseford Hill 8-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden well over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 15, 17l behind Profit's Reality (9-11) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Jul.
Pass The Port 9-2 (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 5l behind La Vecchia Scuola (9-1) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Always Bold (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Chased leader, pushed along 3f out, losing place when not much room over 2f out, weakened, 12th of 13, 27l behind Love Galore (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Trenchtown (IRE) 11-1 (8-7) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 4th of 13, 6l behind Love Galore (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Askar Tau (FR) 4-11fav (9-6) Keen, led over 11f out, ridden 2f out, clear 1f out, eased towards finish, won at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating Irish Quest (9-7) by 2l, 6 ran.
Any Given Day (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) Held up in touch, good headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, soon hung right under pressure, ran on well, won at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Sleepy Hollow (8-13) by 1l, 7 ran.
Armure 4-1 (8-12) In touch, headway 3f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, held on, won at Kempton 1m 3f mdn fll (5) pol in Jul beating Amhooj (8-12) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Sea Chorus 8-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden and headway from 2f out, hard ridden and ran on well final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 7, nk behind Star of Gibraltar (8-12) at Salisbury 1m 4f fll hcp (4) gs.
Susie May 40-1 (9-6) Held up in 6th, driven along over 2f out, plugged on one pace, 4th of 7, 7l behind Gravitation (8-6) at Goodwood 1m 6f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul.
