mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 3f out, always towards rear
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, never near leaders
slowly into stride, in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, no impression, soon weakened
prominent, lost place over 5f out, struggling final 3f
led early, tracked leader, led well over 1f out, ran on well
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, soon edged left, nearest finish
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
soon led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
A competitive handicap can be taken by GUILDENSTERN, with El Libertador and By Command both cited as dangers. The pick has twice won over course and distance, the most recent being in January from a mark 6lbs higher than today's. On that evidence he looks well handicapped, and he was showing signs of a return to form here last time out, so we will chance him from a good draw. El Libertador remains a maiden after 19 attempts to break his duck. He has shown a liking for this place in his last two starts, going close on both occasions, though it won't be any easier after a 3lb rise. Topweight By Command returns to this sphere from a claimer at the track last month and if at his best today with his pilot's claim he could be a threat. Sands Of Dee will need the blinkers to work a treat if he is to show enough improvement to challenge, and Home Sweet Home would be very interesting if supported given his trainer's good record at the track, though we will just side with Guildenstern.
By Command 12-1 (8-12) Tracked winner and keen, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Orpenindeed (9-1) at Wolverhampton 7f app clm stks (6) pol in Jun.
Anagram 5-1 (8-12) Prominent, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, 13l behind Cape Quarter (9-3) at Southwell 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Nov.
El Libertador (USA) 5-2fav (9-8) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, went 3rd well over 1f out, chased weakening leader entering final furlong, closed to lead briefly well inside final furlong, headed and not pace of winner close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Bold Diva (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Sapphire Prince (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 24l behind Quiet Mountain (9-4) at Kempton 1m app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) pol in Jun.
Bold Diva 20-1 (9-3) Steadied start, held up last, pushed along and plenty to do over 3f out, headway on wide outside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led close home, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun beating El Libertador (9-8) by nk, 11 ran.
Home Sweet Home (GER) (9-0) 2nd of 3, 3l behind Letty (9-0) at Kincsem Park(HUN) 1m lst stk in Apr.
Sands Of Dee (USA) 16-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, something amiss over 2f out, soon eased, tailed off, last of 11, 42l behind Gallant Eagle (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Sep.
Crocodile Bay (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, chased winner, ridden to challenge 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 6l behind Baltimore Jack (10-0) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Decree Absolute (USA) 100-1 (9-0) Bumped start, mid-division, pushed along over 3f out soon ridden, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 15, 26l behind Lost In The Moment (9-5) at Newbury 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Guildenstern (IRE) 18-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 10, 5l behind The City Kid (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Via Mia 9-1 (8-5) Led early, chased winner until 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 10, 14l behind King's Counsel (8-4) at Redcar 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Shannon Golden 25-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, well beaten over 1f out, 10th of 12, 10l behind Polish World (9-4) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
