not clear run over 1f out, always towards rear
mid-division, not clear run 2f out, ridden and no impression when hampered 1f out
hampered after 1f on outer, always towards rear
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway into mid-division 5f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly away, soon mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on well close home
hampered after 1f, always towards rear
towards rear, weaved way through field from 2f out, stayed onto go 4th inside final furlong, nearest finish
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on
in touch, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, hampered 1f out, no chance and eased after
mid-division, punched along over 2f out, not clear run and switched left 1f out, ran on, nearest finish
in touch, switched left over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear on rails, headway and not clear run 1f out and inside final furlong, not recover
led for 5f, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, led after 5f, ridden over 2f out, no extra when hung right under pressure and headed close home
The presence of Nayyir ensures that most of the runners have a decent racing weight for this usually competitive handicap and with Britannia winner Sir Gerard having seemingly a poor draw in stall one the vote goes to Spectait. The selection is trained by Sir Mark Prescott who knows better than most what is required to win a valuable handicap like this. Admittedly the son of Spectrum has most of his form on a softer surface or on the sand but there is no reason why he should not be as effective, if not more effective, on today's ground and, with plenty of more improvement to come, he looks worth a bet from stall 16. Dunelight represents the yard of Clive Cox that has been in good form of late and he too is well drawn in stall 15, plus has the assistance of the tactically shrewd Philip Robinson so cannot be discounted. Sir Michael Stoute's Rohaani is relatively lightly raced and along with former stablemate Eden Rock, who has gone well here before but is becoming expensive to follow, has to be respected. Paper Talk has claims on recent form but could be better drawn, while Capable Guest deserves to win a big handicap but may have to settle for a minor role behind Spectait who is taken to give Sir Mark Prescott another big race winner.
Nayyir 7-1 (9-0) Held up, not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left, ran on, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Iffraaj (9-4) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 (1) gd.
Wise Dennis 10-1 (9-4) Held up rear of main group, driven along 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 9th of 25, 4l behind Forgery (8-6) at Newbury 1m hcap (2) gd in Apr.
Rohaani (USA) 7-2 (9-0) Keen hold, in touch on outside, ridden and no response over 2f out, last of 10, 10l behind Day Flight (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
My Paris 16-1 (9-0) Led to 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 12th of 17, 6l behind Hinterland (9-3) at Sandown 1m hcap (2) gf in Jul.
Langford 16-1 (8-11) Started very slowly, not recover, 16th of 17, 13l behind Hinterland (9-3) at Sandown 1m hcap (2) gf in Jul.
Spectait 8-1 (9-1) Ridden in rear halfway, driven and stayed on under pressure final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Echo of Light (9-1) at Lingfield 1m Grp 3 (1) pol in Jul.
Paper Talk (USA) 13-2 (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden, edged right and led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Newbury 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jul beating Grizedale (8-9) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Sir Gerard 9-2fav (8-12) Raced near side, held up behind, headway and switched right over 2f out, ran on strongly to lead inside final furlong and soon clear, won at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun beating Easy Air (8-11) by 2l, 30 ran.
Prince Of Thebes (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) With leaders, ridden halfway, weakening when short of room approaching final furlong, 14th of 19, 14l behind Mine (9-10) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Kings Quay 16-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, eased towards finish, 7th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Hinterland (9-3) at Sandown 1m hcap (2) gf in Jul.
Spirit of France (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Stumbled start, behind, effort 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Salinja (9-1) at Newbury 1m hcap (2) gd in Jul.
Eden Rock (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Switched left from outside draw, held up rear, not clear run briefly over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 27, 2 1/2l behind Uhoomagoo (8-9) at Ascot 7f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Capable Guest (IRE) 4-1fav (9-1) Held up, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, nk behind Salinja (9-1) at Newbury 1m hcap (2) gd in Jul.
Red Spell (IRE) 11-2 (9-10) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Sew'n'so Character (8-12) at Salisbury 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
Kelucia (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Salinja (9-1) at Newbury 1m hcap (2) gd in Jul.
Shot To Fame (USA) 20-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 13th of 18, 6l behind Illustrious Blue (9-4) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Dunelight (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Made all in centre, clear of near side group 2f out, ran on strongly, won at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp (2) gd in Jul beating Easy Air (9-1) by 5l, 16 ran.
El Coto 5-2 (9-10) Held up in rear, headway on inner over 1f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Jubilee Street (9-0) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jul.
Hills Of Aran 80-1 (9-0) Led and soon clear, ridden and headed under 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 18l behind Dubawi (9-0) at Curragh 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in May '05.
Wavertree Warrior (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) With leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 15th of 19, 15l behind Mine (9-10) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
