held up in touch, weakened over 3f out
always behind
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, effort well over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
behind, headway under pressure approaching final furlong, never able to challenge
made all, 3 lengths clear halfway, shaken up over 1f out, ran on strongly, impressive
behind, headway over 2f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never able to challenge
mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, soon no impression
mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, neverable to challenge
chased leaders, headway over 3f out, soon driven to challenge, faded final furlong
held up in touch, chased leaders over 3f out, faded over 1f out
Alakhan has clearly had his problems but that means he has few miles on the clock and he showed a fine turn of foot to score over 7f at Chester on his reappearance. The extra furlong won't be a problem here but narrow preference is for MY FREEDOM. Saeed Bin Suroor's colt hasn't had much luck so far this season and is creeping up the weights, despite not winning. But you could argue that he was the moral victor at Newmarket last time and he'll get every assistance from the saddle today. Skilful has gone up 3lb since finishing second at Thirsk but Richard Fahey's pair, Extraterrestrial and Bawaardi, can't be ignored and Wannabe King has looked on the way back recently. Master Of Arts was third over 1m2f at Newbury last week and looks the pick of the remainder.
Light From Mars 50-1 (8-11) Led far side group, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 17th of 26, 14l behind Our Jonathan (9-6) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) sft.
Wannabe King 16-1 (9-12) Held up mid-division, headway 2f out, switched outside inside final 2f, ridden and every chance 1f out, no extra final 75 yards, 6th of 17, 5l behind Stevie Thunder (9-0) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Aug.
Mull Of Killough (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Raced centre, chased leaders ridden halfway, soon struggling, 26th of 29, 30l behind Invisible Man (8-9) at Royal Ascot 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun '10.
Memory Cloth 25-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 16l behind Don't Call Me (8-10) at Ayr 1m hcp 105 (2) sft.
Master of Arts (USA) 33-1 (8-13) Steadied and switched left after start, held up in rear, troubled passage from over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd final 100 yards, no chance to reach leading duo, 3rd of 19, 4l behind Taqleed (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gd.
Skilful 9-2fav (9-2) Mid-division, headway on outside over 3f out, edged right when challenging 2f out, not pace of winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 1 3/4l behind Belle Royale (9-4) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Extraterrestrial 8-1 (8-10) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Don't Call Me (8-10) at Ayr 1m hcp 105 (2) sft.
My Freedom (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace, held when switched right near finish, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind White Frost (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Aug.
Call To Reason (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Settled in rear, headway over 1f out, soon one pace, 8th of 14, 7l behind Merchant Of Medici (8-10) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-90) (3) pol in May.
Bawaardi (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 11, 2l behind One Scoop Or Two (8-12) at Haydock 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Sinfonico (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Always behind, 10th of 16, 9l behind Red Gulch (9-8) at Kempton 1m hcp (2) pol.
Alakhan (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Steadied start, keen held up in rear, headway on outer approaching final furlong, edged left and led towards finish, won at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd beating Baby Strange (9-4) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
