in touch and keen, ridden 2 over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway halfway, driven to lead inside final furlong, kept on well
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, driven and weakened over 1f out, eased when beaten
held up, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, led 2f out, driven and headed final furlong, no extra close home
with leader, led over 3f out, headed 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace final 2f
towards rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, one pace final furlong
always towards rear, never troubled leaders
led, headed over 3f out, soon driven and weakened
MAKAAMEN is confidently selected here ahead of Film Set, Enact and Exceptional Art. The Barry Hills-trained selection comes here chasing a hat-trick following wins at Doncaster and Newbury. The latter proved that he handles this sort of ground as one might expect from his pedigree and he fully deserved his 5lb rise in the weights. A big danger to the top-weight is likely to be the Godolphin-trained Film Set. He has also only had three runs and although he was a tad disappointing on his final start last season (handicap debut), the step back up in trip is in his favour and he may be more at home back on a soft surface. Cheviot has been frustrating to follow this season and tends to race too keenly, so a bigger threat may be the consistent duo of Changing The Guard and Wannabe King who lurk towards the bottom of the weights. Quanah Parker is better than his final start last season, whilst Enact and Definightly need to bounce back to form following poor latest runs. Exceptional Art, second to Saucy Brown on his comeback in a conditions race at Doncaster, must be considered given his lofty reputation but he needs to prove that this mark is right for handicaps and so we are happy to stick with the progressive colt Makaamen.
Makaamen 10-1 (9-0) Soon led, ridden and edged left over 1f out, in command when edged right inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Apr beating Wannabe King (8-8) by 1 1/4l, 16 ran.
Exceptional Art 5-6fav (9-0) Took keen hold behind winner, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 5, nk behind Saucy Brown (8-11) at Doncaster 7f 3yo stk (3) gd.
Definightly 8-1 (9-2) Hampered start, held up, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 17l behind Dark Mischief (8-10) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Apr.
Film Set (USA) 5-6fav (9-7) Took keen hold, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, beaten when driven and hung left over 1f out, 3rd of 4, 3l behind Tropical Paradise (9-0) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Oct.
Zaffaan 10-1 (8-10) Held up 5th, pushed along 2f out, no progress, soon weakened, last of 8, 41l behind Racketeer (8-4) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
Enact 5-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, behind, effort when not much room 2f out, no impression, 8th of 14, 10l behind Brief Encounter (8-9) at York 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Leahurst (IRE) 13-8 (9-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd going well over 2f out, led well over 1f out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Apr beating Badiat Alzaman (8-12) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Quanah Parker (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) With leader, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 17th of 22, 17l behind Total Gallery (8-9) at Redcar 6f 2yo Listed auc stks (1) gd in Oct.
Wannabe King 4-1 (9-2) Behind, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened inside final 2f, 6th of 11, 8l behind Desert Creek (8-9) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Changing The Guard 6-5fav (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, effort when not much room approaching final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Tartan Gunna (9-4) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Apr.
Polish Pride 40-1 (8-12) Always behind, 13th of 14, 29l behind Brief Encounter (8-9) at York 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Miss Eze 4-1 (9-2) Steadied start, settled rear, no room on rail entering final 2f and badly hampered, no chance afterwards, 10th of 18, 9l behind Never Lose (9-1) at Newbury 7f (4) gs.
Cheviot (USA) 9-2 (8-8) Held up in rear, switched out inside final 2f, stayed on under presure inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Instalment (9-7) at Salisbury 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
