tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon every chance until weakened inside final furlong
in touch on outside, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, pushed along 3f out, soon struggling
slowly into stride, held up in rear, going easily when not clear run over 2f out, switched left to outside over 1f out, stayed on
held up in touch, effort on inside and not clear run over 2f out until inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, pushed along when not clear run over 2f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, kept on
led, ridden and edged left from 3f out, headed and outpaced just inside final furlong
held up towards rear, going easily when not clear run over 2f out to over 1f out, quickened and ran on to lead just inside final furlong, held on well
slowly into stride, in rear, brief effort on inside and ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
close up, ridden to press leaders approaching final furlong, not quicken
The unexposed pair of Anani and Tug of Love catch the eye in this valuable handicap and have to be respected but Nuit Sombre looked unlucky last time and is taken to gain a deserved success. Mark Johnston's gelding never got a run behind Mister Arjay at York last week and, although the son of Night Shift has to race off a 3lb higher mark today, his trainer has a good record with his runners at this track. Nuit Sombre is taken to add to Johnston's winners tally at Goodwood. Ascot maiden winner Anani makes his handicap debut and Ed Dunlop's colt has to be respected along with Sir Michael Stoute's, similarly lightly raced, Tug Of Love. The latter's last time out third behind New Seeker at Newmarket represents solid handicap form and he should be thereabouts on that evidence. Kevin Darley is an interesting jockey booking for the John Hills-trained Interceptor, who along with Brian Meehan's Chinkara, makes most appeal of the remainder.
