tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, held on well
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish
pushed along to lead, ridden over 2f out, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
TAQNEEN is arguably flattered by his official rating of 80 but his presence appears to have scared away much of the opposition so we'll take Ed Dunlop's gelding to get off the mark despite disappointing his supporters here last month. Among his dangers is Elsiniaar. Carrying the second colours of Sheikh Hamdan, he made an impressive debut on soft going at Nottingham but the combination of 400 days off and the massive weight-for-age concession could just be enough to thwart him. Mount Shamsan also has to shoulder the weight though the William Haggas inmate does have the benefit of track experience. The third in the maiden that he contested here in May has gone on to win a decent Newmarket handicap since. The Character hails from a family that tend to mature with age and is one to note with handicaps very much in mind.
Elsiniaar 7-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 1f out, soon chased winner, no impression, 2nd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Morpheus (9-0) at Nottingham 1m mdn stks (5) sft in Jun '13.
Trimoulet 25-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 11, 12l behind Express Himself (9-3) at Haydock 1m mdn stks (5) sft.
Ghosting (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Held up in mid-division on inside, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 11, 17l behind Prince Of Stars (9-5) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo mdn (3) gd in May.
Taqneen (IRE) 11-8fav (9-2) In touch, pressed leader after 2f, led narrowly over 1f out, soon ridden, headed and no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Alketios (9-2) at Haydock 1m mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
The Character (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Tracked leader, driven along 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Express Himself (9-3) at Haydock 1m mdn stks (5) sft.
French Flirt 11-1 (8-12) Dwelt, in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway and hung badly left from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 12l behind Free Rein (8-12) at Newcastle 7f fll mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
Mount Shamsan 5-1 (10-0) Pulled hard, prominent, every chance over 1f out, stayed on well, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Abbey Village (9-2) at Haydock 1m mdn stks (5) gs in May.
William Of Orange 20-1 (9-4) Towards rear and outpaced, 11th of 14, 19l behind Bombardment (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf.
Inflection (IRE) 50-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, held up in last pair, steady headway on outside over 2f out, kept on steadily for hands and heels inside final furlong and closed on 3rd, 4th of 14, 7l behind Knavery (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in May.
