led 2f, chased leaders, lost pace over 5f out, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, stayed on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, not much room when staying on inside final furlong, kept on, not recover
held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leader, led after 2f, headed over 6f out, led again over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on
tracked leaders, led over 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch and keen, ridden over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
With Mark Johnston's Helm Bank disappointing in both his starts this term, stable companion Rahaf gets the vote in this competitive handicap with the main dangers looking to be Dalaram and Salsalino. It has taken time for the penny to drop with the selection but now that it has, with a convincing win over Sir Michael Stoute's Statement in a Catterick maiden last month, he is taken to open his account in handicap-company. Stoute should have a good line to the son of Theatrical through the runner-up for his runner here Dalaram but, while he beat some useful performers at Brighton last time, that was a muddling four-runner contest and the form may not amount to a great deal. Salsalino is a rare runner on the flat for trainer Alan King and merits consideration on his recent form but is not a certain stayer on breeding and is probably best watched. Chesham Stakes winner Helm Bank has shown little sign of retaining ability in two starts this term and, unless he can recapture juvenile form, is difficult to fancy.
