prominent, ridden well over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up, shaken up 3f out, struggling over 2f out
mid-division on outside, lost place and last when switched left to far rail over 3f out, soon struggling
mid-diviison, ridden and weakened 3f out
awkward leaving stalls, held up in rear, ridden well over 2f out, passed beaten horses inside final 2f, no chance
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led, stayed alone far side over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon beaten
prominent, chased leader over 3f out until edged left well over 1f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division until weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, hung left from 2f out, one pace final furlong
slightly short of room start, held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, led just over 1f out, came clear final 100 yards
As usual with these heritage handicaps this will not prove easy to solve but Drill Sergeant is purely a speculative selection in what is a wide open handicap. Third at Goodwood last week when not sent to the front from the outset, it is possible those more patient tactics were more suited to Mark Johnston's charge. A gutsy sort, provided Goodwood has not left its mark he should be in the shake up. Despite his third in the John Smith's Cup, Ezdiyaad appears a far from straight forward colt. While he is a horse of far more potential than many in this field, judging by his head carriage at York, he did little to assist his rider and could not be put forward with any confidence. Cheshire Prince bids for the hat-trick after two victories at Chester but this will be tougher while New Guinea has smart form in the book but the lack of a recent outing and his preference for further make him one to watch today. Age Of Reason was one place behind the selection at Goodwood. Ten furlongs looks as far as he would want to go. Drill Sergeant is selected to land this heritage handicap.
Ezdiyaad (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Flying Clarets (8-12) at York 1m 2f hcap (2) hvy in Jul.
Greek Envoy 14-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, led briefly 3f out, headed approaching 2f, soon ridden and weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 15l behind Yellowstone (9-9) at York 1m 6f lst hcp (1) hvy in Jul.
Age of Reason (UAE) 16-1 (9-1) Led, pushed along, briefly headed 3f out, stayed pressing leaders until unable to quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 2l behind Indian Days (8-6) at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Charlie Tokyo (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride and early reminders, soon mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 6th of 16, 8l behind Flying Clarets (8-12) at York 1m 2f hcap (2) hvy in Jul.
Lucky Dance (BRZ) 22-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 11, 8l behind Sir Xaar (9-4) at Newcastle 7f hcap (3) gf in Jul.
Capable Guest (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Held up behind, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Nanton (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Suits Me 11-2 (9-11) Chased leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Topazes (8-10) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jul.
Drill Sergeant 16-1 (8-8) In touch, pushed along 3f out, still pressing leaders 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Indian Days (8-6) at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Cheshire Prince 13-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders and keen, led after 4f, ridden well over 1f out, ran on well, won at Chester 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating Spirit of Adjisa (9-3) by 3l, 11 ran.
King's Event (USA) 9-4 (8-13) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, rallied inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Buccellati (10-0) at Ascot 1m 2f hcap (2) gf in Jul.
Wigwam Willie (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, soon beaten, 8th of 10, 5l behind Nine Stories (9-0) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Perks (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Behind, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 7th of 19, 4l behind Duntulm (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Kandidate 33-1 (9-1) Led to 2f out, soon beaten, last of 7, 14l behind Archipenko (9-6) at Ascot 1m Grp 2 (1) gs in Jul.
New Guinea 8-1 (8-7) Soon led, pushed clear 5f out, headed final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Hard Top (8-9) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 4f hcp gd in Feb.
