in touch, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, ridden halfway, kept on final 2f
behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
dwelt mid-division halfway, soon weakened
dwelt behind mid-division halfway, soon ridden, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
chased leaders to halfway
close up, led briefly halfway, one pace
led to halfway, soon lost place
prominent, effort over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
behind, never dangerous
prominent, chased winner from over 1f out, no impression
behind, outpaced halfway
chased leaders, led over 2f out, edged right, kept on well
chased leaders, hung right and weakened from over 1f out
A large field goes to post for this handcap and we will side with Moonage Daydream to get the better of Fulford and Shakespeare's Son. Tim Easterby won this race last year and he looks to have solid claims of scooping the prize again here. His 3-year-old Moonage Daydream won well last time, he is well-drawn today, he remains unexposed and we think he can overcome a penalty to make it back-to-back wins. Fulford finished behind our selection last time and he is better off at the weights today, but the simple fact is that he is thoroughly exposed and he lacks the scope of our choice. Shakespeare's Son ran well on his return from a break last time, and he is unexposed on the turf so he is worth consideration, although his low draw is a cause for concern. Thomas Malory would have claims on the pick of his form from last season, but he has not been firing of late, and a safer bet looks to be Moonage Daydream who is put forward as our pick.
Moonage Daydream (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well, won at Redcar 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May beating Misplaced Fortune (8-12) by 1l, 15 ran.
Distant Rock 25-1 (7-13) Towards rear, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 3l behind Lady Meagan (8-9) at Navan 6f 2yo mdn gf in Oct.
Whispering Desert 66-1 (8-1) Chased leaders to halfway, last of 11, 14l behind Hamish McGonagall (9-3) at York 5f 3yo hcp (3) gf in May.
Fitolini 9-1 (8-10) refused to race in race won by Yankee Storm (9-0) at Great Leighs 5f 3yo hcp (5) pol in May, 9 ran.
Fulford 8-1 (8-8) Towards rear, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 2l behind Moonage Daydream (8-8) at Redcar 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.
Rio Sabotini 16-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 12l behind Kaldoun Kingdom (9-4) at Ayr 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct.
Jaconet (USA) 16-1 (8-8) Behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 7th of 15, 4l behind Moonage Daydream (8-8) at Redcar 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.
Lujano 7-2 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Yankee Storm (8-11) at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Scanno (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden along halfway, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind Young Gladiator (9-1) at Southwell 6f mdn aut stk (5) fbs in Apr.
Complete Frontline (GER) 33-1 (8-4) Led far side after 1f, headed over 1f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, 4th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Capone (8-8) at Thirsk 6f 3yo hcp (5) gd in May.
Thomas Malory (IRE) 4-1 (8-6) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, 15l behind Novellen Lad (9-7) at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.
Shakespeare's Son 12-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden and led briefly approaching final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Just Jimmy (8-7) at Chepstow 6f 3yo hcp (6) gd in May.
Klarity 25-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, went left start, in rear, ridden halfway, wandered over 1f out, last of 10, 13l behind Killer Class (8-8) at Nottingham 5f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Apr.
Piverina (IRE) 9-2fav (9-2) Towards rear, ridden along and headway 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 16, 8l behind Casino Night (9-4) at Beverley 7f 3yo hcp (6) gd in May.
Turn And River (IRE) 11-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Our Sunnie (8-5) at Redcar 6f app clm (6) sft in May.
Swift Acclaim (IRE) 40-1 (8-4) Went right start, behind, outpaced halfway, last of 9, 18l behind Opus Maximus (9-3) at Hamilton 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in May.
Jordi Roper (IRE) 80-1 (9-3) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 7l behind Another Decree (9-3) at Pontefract 6f 3yo mdn (5) gf in May.