tracked leader, driven to challenge and every chance over 1f out, kept on final furlong
held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, switched left approaching final furlong, ran on to lead well inside, kept on
towards rear, ridden along over 3f out, never reached challenging position
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway on outer over 1f out, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride and behind, effort 3f out, no impression
towards rear, headway over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, edged left approaching final furlong, headed well inside, no extra close home
prominent, ridden along over 3f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong
This looks to be a competitive handicap and from a shortlist of Bustan, Mesbaah and Riley Boys we will side with Bustan as the pick. The selection arrives here in decent form and he lost no caste in defeat at Hamilton last time when he was only narrowly beaten by Society Music. That was his third solid effort on the bounce and he certainly deserves to get his head in front once again. Mesbaah is on a fair mark at present and he was only narrowly beaten last time out behind Re Barolo at York. This drop in trip will not inconvenience him and he should be thereabouts at the finish. Riley Boys won well here two starts ago but he then disappointed last time and he will need to leave that running behind to make his mark tonight. Nevada Desert is better than he has been showing of late and until he begins to show some of his old sparkle he is probably best watched. An open event which can go the way of Bustan.
Mesbaah (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Re Barolo (10-0) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun.
Bustan (IRE) 8-11fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out until inside final furlong, kept on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1/2l behind Society Music (8-13) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Alqaahir (USA) 14-1 (9-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Prince Kalamoun (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gf in Jun.
Nevada Desert (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Prominent, checked on bend after 3f, weakened from 3f out, last of 16, 18l behind Osteopathic Remedy (9-4) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Jun.
Daniel Thomas (IRE) 3-1fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway 3f out, not clear run and switched left over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 10l behind Im Ova Ere Dad (11-7) at Goodwood 1m 1f amt hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Fiefdom (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Sunnyside Tom (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Riley Boys (IRE) 7-4fav (8-12) Held up, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind Piper's Song (9-3) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Shotley Mac 4-1fav (9-9) Mid-division, headway 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Mister Jingles (9-0) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Moheebb (IRE) 40-1 (7-12) Chased leaders, weakened straight, soon well behind, 9th of 10, 16l behind Emirates Skyline (9-10) at Epsom 1m 2f hcap (2) gd in Jun.
