led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased
always towards rear
prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to lead final 50 yards
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on strongly inside final furlong to go 2nd near finish
always towards rear
soon behind, ridden, headway 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
mid-division, lost place 3f out, soon behind
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
never better than mid-division
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed and no extra final 50 yards
held up towards rear, switched outside and headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish
always behind
chased leaders to over 3f out, soon behind
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
Sarraaf can defy a six-pound penalty in the finale, with Bollin Edward, Mount Royale and The Number all likely to play a part. This race is big in numbers but low on quality, and so the recent winning form of Sarraaf may well be good enough. Ian Semple's nine-year-old was racing from five-pounds out of the handicap when overcoming traffic problems to get up on the line at Musselburgh on Monday, and should make a bold bid off today's mark with a penalty. The gelding had been out of form on the all-weather during the winter but has dropped to a favourable rating since his last winning spell in 2003 and as long as he does not get boxed in from stall three, has things in his favour today. Bollin Edward picked up late at Thirsk and may be about to hit form, and Mount Royale has been improving bit by bit on the all-weather. The Number responded to a first-time visor when making all in selling company here in April and has since taken on slightly better company, so cannot be dismissed out of hand. For the winner though we prefer the claims of Sarraaf.
Cyfrwys (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, hampered over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 7l behind Roman Empire (9-3) at Southwell 6f hcp (F4) fbs in Nov.
The Number 16-1 (8-11) Led, ridden over 3f out, soon headed, weakened 2f out, last of 18, 23l behind Blue Java (9-1) at Salisbury 7f app hcp (5) gf.
Bollin Edward 7-1 (9-8) Held up, headway over 2f out, ran on final furlong, nearest at finish, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Shifty (9-0) at Thirsk 7f hcp (6) gd.
Jubilee Street (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Behind, came stands' side and headway home straight, ridden and kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 15, 11l behind Zhitomir (8-10) at Catterick 7f hcp (5) gs.
Sarraaf (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, not much room until switched left inside final furlong, led close home, won at Musselburgh 7f hcp (5) gf beating Ballyhurry (9-9) by a hd, 8 ran.
Mickledor (FR) 20-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 4l behind Yorker (8-8) at Hamilton 6f app hcp (E3) sft in Sept.
Mount Royale (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Shifty (8-1) at Southwell 7f app hcp (6) fbs in Apr.
Joshua's Gold (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Prominent, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, one pace until weakened final furlong, 7th of 20, 6l behind Mamore Gap (9-0) at Redcar 1m hcp (6) gf.
