led, ridden when headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leader, effort on inside over 1f out, stayed on same pace closing stages
mid-division, headway over 1f out, never on terms
slowly into stride, outpaced towards rear, never dangerous
held up in rear, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, never nearer
always behind
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on well
Fast Dancer could only manage fifth in last year’s renewal but won over track and trip last time when beating Dark Devil a neck with Mulligatawny further behind. The runner-up re-opposes on better terms today while Stonific bids for a hat-trick raised only 3lb having won over 1m4f at Thirsk a fortnight ago. Critical Thinking and Rayaa are taking on tougher opposition today but AASHEQ was placed in this grade at Newcastle on his debut for Tim Easterby and seasonal reappearance and may well be good enough with improvement expected.
Mulligatawny (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, hampered just over 1f out, kept on same pace and no impression inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Fast Dancer (9-2) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in May.
Mukhayyam 20-1 (9-5) Raced wide close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 8 3/4l behind Mutamaded (9-9) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in May.
Fast Dancer (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders on outside, went 2nd edging left over 1f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, ran on to lead final 100 yards, won at Chester 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in May beating Dark Devil (9-2) by nk, 12 ran.
Dark Devil (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish and closed, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, nk behind Fast Dancer (9-2) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in May.
Stonific (IRE) 11-4fav (9-10) Mid-division, smooth headway over 2f out, led 2f out, hard ridden when strongly challenged inside final furlong, held on gamely, won at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in May beating Swansway (8-8) by hd, 13 ran.
Rayaa 15-8fav (9-7) Slowly into stride, raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, no impression final furlong, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Iconic Belle (8-7) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp fll (5) gf in May.
Critical Thinking (IRE) 3-1 (9-6) Held up, switched right and headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead final strides, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in May beating The Amber Fort (9-6) by shd, 8 ran.
Aasheq (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, headway when not clear run over 2f out, and again over 1f out, stayed on well, nearest finish, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Extra Mile (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Apr.