steadied start, held up in rear, pushed along on inside over 2f out, hanging right when switched left over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, not able to reach winner
held up, effort 3f out, driven along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced keenly, led after 1f, kept narrow advantage when pressed from 2f out, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong, held when lost 2nd final 100 yards, outpaced to 4th close home
led 1f, tracked leader until 4f out, stayed in 3rd, not clear run on inside and switched left over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd final 100 yards until outpaced to 3rd close home
held up on inside, switched left inside final 2f, strong run on outer to lead inside final furlong, won going away
pulled hard, in touch on wide outside, headway to chase leaders 4f out, pushed along 3f out, weakened rapidly 2f out, tailed off, eased
close up, chased leader 4f out, every chance from 2f out until ridden over 1f out, weakened final 100 yards
held up in rear, ridden on outside 3f out, struggling over 2f out
took keen hold, held up, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression well over 1f out
A few in this conditions race have something to prove so although Mistic Magic is best served by the framing of the race judged on the official ratings that mark might be flattering so preference is for ORATORY with Stefanki not dismissed lightly. The pick has generally run well this term and based on his second place in a decent York handicap two starts back he has every chance coming into this. That was followed by a solid run at Salisbury, again in a good race, and this strong travelling sort should benefit for a step down in trip. Stefanki won on his reappearance and was only just denied the follow up under a penalty. There's more to do now up in class but a big run isn't ruled out. Layline is lightly raced and after finding just the one too good last time may go better for the application of headgear but in a tough old finale Oratory looks the percentage call.
Al Khaleej (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) In rear, keeping on one pace and no chance when not much room inside final furlong, 13th of 17, 13l behind Black Spirit (8-8) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gf.
Coasting 17-2 (9-2) Mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, one pace and no impression soon after, 11th of 17, 10l behind Black Spirit (8-8) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gf.
Manassas (IRE) 5-4fav (9-10) Pulled hard tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon one pace and no impression, last of 4, 3 1/2l behind Dajen (8-2) at Ffos Las 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Oratory (IRE) 5-1fav (9-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Black Spirit (8-8) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gf.
Rulesn'regulations 40-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, strong run towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 15, shd behind Crown Choice (9-3) at Sandown 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
Silaah (8-10) 6th of 15, 5l behind Swinging Sixties (9-4) at Jebel Ali(UAE) 7f hcp in Feb.
Thebes 20-1 (9-7) Led far side group, ridden well over 1f out, weakening and headed by far side group towards finish, no chance with stands side group, 10th of 16, 11l behind Lowdown (9-0) at Hamilton 6f hcp 105 (2) gs.
Layline (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, pressed winner 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Benandonner (9-4) at Lingfield 1m stks 0-90 (3) pol.
Mistic Magic (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Held up, effort over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression over 1f out, 5th of 8, 6l behind Puff (9-0) at Newbury 7f 3yo fll Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Stefanki (IRE) 1-3fav (9-12) Slowly away, held up in 4th off the pace, headway on outside over 2f out, led going well just over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner final 110 yards, 2nd of 5, hd behind Grand Zafeen (9-5) at Folkestone 6f 3yo app hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
