slowly into stride, soon pressed leader, led after 3f, clear to over 4f out, headed 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off
in rear, driven over 5f out, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, never on terms, weakened over 1f out
raced keenly, mid-division, headway and in touch over 4f out, led 3f out, driven clear 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on when pressed final 100 yards
mid-division on outside, headway over 2f out, went 2nd and ridden over 1f out, stayed on to press winner final 100 yards, held near finish
mid-division on inside, in touch 4f out, chased winner over 2f out to over 1f out, weakened into 4th inside final furlong
mid-division, tracked leaders over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with front pair
led 3f, tracked clear leader, led again 4f out to 3f out, weakened 2f out, tailed off
tracked leading pair, driven 4f out, soon lost place, weakened 2f out
behind, struggling over 5f out, no chance with leaders
Semeen did well last year, winning three of his four starts. But rain-softened ground is a real worry whereas the going will suit RHOMBUS. Ismael Mohammed's four-year-old may have had enough for the season when disappointing in the November Handicap in his final race of last season but has had a good break since and should win more races off his current mark. Hamelin was progressive last year but is another for whom conditions may be too soft and similar concerns surround Al Saham. Glorious Protector is consistent but is still climbing the handicap despite not winning.
Restraint of Trade (IRE) 4-1 (8-7) 10th of 14, 8l behind Certerach (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f hcp 105 gd in Jan.
Swing Alone (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Towards rear ridden when headway entering final furlong, driven and kept on under pressure, 6th of 14, 9l behind Litigant (9-5) at Lingfield 2m cnd stks (4yo+) (2) pol in Apr.
Al Saham 6-4fav (9-9) Soon tracking leaders, ridden and every chance 1f out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 7, 3l behind Lowther (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Hamelin (IRE) 2-1fav (9-7) Raced wide early in touch, headway to press leaders over 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, readily, won at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Oct beating Ice Pie (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Semeen 7-4fav (9-8) Keen hold in mid-division, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul beating Sadler's Risk (10-0) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Rhombus (IRE) 13-2fav (8-4) Always towards rear, 18th of 23, well behind Conduct (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Glorious Protector (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Keen, held up in touch, ridden and looked held over 1f out, driven and ran on towards finish, not reach leaders, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Brass Ring (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
The Lock Master (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Raced wide mid-division, pushed along halfway, soon dropped to rear, 10th of 11, 17l behind Viewpoint (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f app hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Aazif (IRE) 4-1fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 17, 27l behind Warlu Way (9-7) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
