raced keenly, pressed leader, led narrowly over 3f out to over 2f out, weakened tamely
covered up behind leading pair, not clear run on rails over 2f out to over 1f out, kept on reluctantly and always held
always last, outpaced from halfway
led to over 3f out, led again over 2f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong
raced in close 4th, effort 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
Calcutta still has what it takes, and can gain an overdue victory, with Cornelius, Muchea and Halawellfin Hala his main rivals. Calcutta likes to hear his hooves rattle and gained his last win under such conditions at Bath a year ago. He then had a spell in Dubai and since coming back has taken in some pretty tough handicaps including the William Hill Mile here in which he was unlucky in running. He performed with credit behind Muchea at Doncaster and is six pounds better off for the two and a half lengths that separated them on Town Moor. In fact he is also nine pounds better off than when they met in that corresponding event 12 months ago and has a great chance of turning the tables. Having managed to win that race at Doncaster for the second time when successful 11 days ago, Muchea has since been turned over at Ayr five days ago and cannot be relied upon bounce back. Cornelius is a good performer on his day but will surely find the ground too lively, while Halawellfin Hala showed enough when second to Beluga Bay at Newbury to suggest that he will be placed to score soon. On this occasion though he may have to give best to the well treated Calcutta.
