tracked leaders, chased winner over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out
held up, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on one pace final furlong
towards rear, short lived effort 2f out
in rear, headway on outer over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on, always held by winner
held up, never a factor
in rear, effort entering final 2f, no impression final furlong
made most, ridden 2f out, ran on
tracked winner until over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace from over 1f out
The first of four tough handicaps on today's card. Top weight Barbican won the last time he raced in handicap company but soft ground would be a major hindrance to his chances while Willing Foe has been hard to keep right but finished runner-up in the November Handicap in soft ground when last seen at the track. Parlour Games also races in Godolphin's colours though he's 10lb higher than for his victory at York last August and Rock A Doodle Doo has failed to figure off his current mark in the past having been raised 5lb for his latest win at Kempton. Recent Sandown second Tropical Beat has also come up short in this grade before so a chance is taken that the lightly-raced RAWAKI will find further improvement after finishing runner-up to Vasily in similar company at Windsor last time.
Barbican 4-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Polygon (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 4f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) gf in Jun.
Adelar (GER) 20-1 (8-13) 12th of 13, 11l behind Pipedreamer (8-13) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f Grp 2 (1) gd in Oct '09.
Willing Foe (USA) 11-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon headed, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 23, 6l behind Zuider Zee (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Rock A Doodle Doo (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Held up, switched to outer over 2f out, headway to lead over 1f out, ridden and hung right final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol beating Roxy Flyer (9-6) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Cill Rialaig 13-2 (9-0) Tracked leading trio, went 3rd in group in straight and 4th overall, ridden 2f out, driven and one pace over 1f out, 4th of 6, 6l behind Afsare (9-5) at Sandown 1m 2f Listed stks 3yo (1) gs.
Starluck (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 16, 3l behind Charles Camoin (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Tropical Beat 11-2 (9-12) Held up towards rear, steady headway towards outside when hampered over 2f out, progress again on outside and carried head high over 1f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to reach leading duo, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Encke (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gs.
Fattsota 8-1 (9-12) Soon held up in mid-division on inside, driven and not quicken 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 4th of 10, 1 1/4l behind Encke (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gs.
Oceanway (USA) 11-1 (10-0) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 20l behind Edmaaj (9-5) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Jun.
Rawaki (IRE) 10-3fav (9-1) Led 3f, chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, driven and went 2nd over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Vasily (9-5) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
Parlour Games 6-1 (8-11) In touch, headway to chase winner over 2f out until over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 8l behind Electrolyser (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) gs in Apr.
