taken to post early, keen raced wide tracked leaders, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
held up, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, not pace to challenge
raced wide in touch, headway to lead over 1f out, ridden and ran on
raced wide held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
close up, not clear run 2f out, soon switched right, ridden and ran on to chase winner inside final furlong
led after 1f, headed over 4f out, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen close up, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace
led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
steadied and switched left start, held up well in rear, not clear run 2f out, soon switched left, ridden and no impression over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
Just 5lb between the 12 declared reveals the nature of this handicap in which it's probably advisable to tread carefully as nothing can be ruled out with confidence. One Man Army is the real 'dark horse' of the race having landed a modest Southwell maiden last time and it's interesting that Michael Bell pitches him into such a competitive Turf affair for his handicap debut, FULLON CLARETS has delivered two strong performances in competitive handicap sprints this term and this move to a seventh furlong looks a good decision. His only success has come on an artificial surface but he's shown all his best on Turf and is taken to get off the mark with conditions to suit. Sakhee's Return went really well in a hot York handicap latest and demands respect off the bottom rung, whilst Muqarred and Outback Ruler should both progress from last-time successes.
Ustinov 5-1 (9-6) Steadied start soon switched to outer, keen in rear, headway to go close up 3f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 11l behind My Dream Boat (9-0) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Muqarred (USA) 8-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr beating Pensax Boy (9-2) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Upstaging 10-1 (9-2) Keen raced wide led over 6f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 5l behind Yorkshire Dales (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Outback Ruler (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, good headway near side halfway, chasing leaders 3f out, led over 1f out, hard ridden and pressed throughout final furlong, held on gamely, all out, won at Chepstow 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd beating Miracle Ninetynine (9-3) by shd, 9 ran.
Best Endeavour 14-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along before halfway, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, keeping on same pace and no impression when hampered over 1f out, 7th of 10, 6l behind One Life Live It (9-6) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr.
Swift Approval (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Led, headed when hung right over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong, 9th of 10, 18l behind Them And Us (9-6) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Harlequin Striker (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Dwelt, soon chasing leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden and not quicken 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 4l behind Fieldsman (9-7) at Epsom Downs 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.
Fullon Clarets 14-1 (8-6) Close up, ridden halfway, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 5l behind Captain Colby (9-1) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Midlander (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 6l behind Among Angels (8-3) at Thirsk 5f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
One Man Army 9-4 (8-10) Led, headed over 5f out, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, led again over 1f out, kept on, won at Southwell 7f mdn auc stks (5) fbs in Apr beating Lightning Spree (8-10) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Munfarrid 7-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, edged right and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 11, 9l behind Cilento (9-0) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Sakhee's Return 25-1 (8-2) Prominent, ridden 2f out, led approaching final furlong, edged left and headed inside final furlong, 3rd of 17, 3l behind Udododontu (8-7) at York 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
