slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, hung right but kept on final furlong
keen in mid-division until weakened 3f out
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, always behind
held up in touch, quickened lead 2f out, hung right inside final furlong, ran on well
mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, chased winner and hung right 1f out, kept on but no impression final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, slightly hampered when weakening inside final furlong
chased leaders until weakened well over 2f out
held up behind, good headway on inner over 2f out, ridden and not clear run over 1f out, no chance after
keen in touch, headway to lead 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, switched left and one pace final furlong
led, clear 4f out, headed 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
behind, headway over 2f out, ridden and not clear run over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, took 3rd close home
chased leaders, ridden and effort well over 2f out, weakening when slightly hampered inside final furlong
This is a good, competitive handicap, with Dancing Lyra getting the call over Gavroche, Gatwick and Mutafanen. Looking at the major players as we see them. Gatwick has won here and is worth rating better than his finishing position suggested at Royal Ascot last time, so expect a good run from him. However, he has two-and-a-half lengths to find with Mutafanen on that form, so Ed Dunlop's charge has also to enter the picture as a possible winner. The same can be said of Gavroche, who has won three of his last four races - including over course and distance - and is just five pounds higher than for his latest win, and his rider takes off three pounds also. We have surely not seen the best of Sir Michael Stoute's Kingsword and Barry Hills' Mutuwassel, while Royal Warrant's form is solid and his stable is in good heart, and Dancing Lyra is 14lbs better off for the length-and-a-half he finished behind Gatwick over nine furlongs back in May.That swings us back towards John Hills' colt, who gets our vote.