held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, hampered and lost place over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on same place
held up mid-division, not clear run on rails over 1f out, ran on well to lead inside final furlong, readily
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance 1f out, no extra
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway over 4f out, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up behind, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on but no extra when headed inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
held up, not clear run 2f out, switched left 1f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders
mid-division until weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, ridden and headway 3f out, kept on same pace
A tough handicap where the participation of a few may be in doubt. However, assuming that they all take their chances, the return to this sort of trip is expected to suit Bendarshaan, who gets the nod over Mephisto, Big Moment and Dorothy's Friend, who will make life hard for the selection. The same has to be said of Sergeant Cecil, who arrives here on the back of a confidence boosting effort at Ascot and looks worth another try at this trip. Hambleden and Big Moment are closely matched on their effort behind Darasim in last year's renewal, where neither could find the turn of foot required to go with the winner when he kicked for home three furlongs out. Mephisto, on the other hand, has yet to race at an unconventional track like this and has a little to prove on that score, while Dorothy's Friend looks an out and out stayer and that should have no problems with the undulations of the track. He has solid form to his name and should make a bold bid. However, the presence of Morson Boy, who is a capable enough in his own right, looks to be a good plan form Mark Johnston as he could be a lively candidate to set a strong pace as things unfold. This brings us back to Bendashaan, as he has a similar profile to last year's winner and, with the more appropriate trip expected to bring his stamina into play, the lightly weighted gelding could have the race run to suit he bids to take the winner's prize back to Middleman once more.
