steadied at start to race far side of track, joined main group 6f out, pushed along over 3f out, weakened final furlong
switched right after 1f to race wide, joined main group 6f out, pushed along over 3f out, stayed on towards finish, never near to challenge
led main group, pushed along, headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
chased leader until weakened over 5f out
dwelt and raced wide, joined main group 6f out, driven along to lead over 2f out, ridden and kept on gamely final furlong
held up, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, pushed along and not much room over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
Even though Kieren Fallon can do 8st 4lb at a push, it is rare for him to ride the bottom weight in a handicap of any description and the hint is taken with Mandatum, who is selected over Belle Rouge and Quarrymount, who both arrive here at the top of their game and will not make it easy for the selection. Neither will Winged D'Argent, who is equally lightly raced and has plenty of scope for improvement after scoring off 76 at Ayr earlier in the month. However, the a 7lb penalty makes things much harder in this company and he could be vulnerable at the finish. Especially when the claims of Mandatum are taken into account. This half-brother to Doncaster Cup winner Boreas has improved with each of his three outings so far and, with Fallon determined to cover every corner as he bids to bring the season to a close on a high, we look no further than the comparative featherweight Mandatum will carry in the stayers handicap.
