mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
soon led, headed over 4f out, led again over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, led inside final furlong, pushed out
held up, headway over 1f out, never nearer
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous
prominent, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
broke well, lost place after 2f, weakened well over 2f out
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Fajr, Agravation and Physical and the vote is given to Fajr. The selection was a good second behind Raza Club last time out. That from looks rock solid in the context of this race and with the drop in trip and the booking of Frankie Dettori both positives he looks the one to be on. Agravation rates the main danger on his latest third behind Glad Big as he was unlucky in running but he is a hold up performer who needs everything to fall just right and at likely odds he looks worth tasking on. Oakley Absolute won with plenty in hand last time out and could still be ahead of the handicapper but it was a messy race he won and for that reason he is opposed. Of the remainder Physical is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but this looks tougher and in a race where the market will be very informative for the winner we return to Fajr who looks a value bet.
Aggravation 14-1 (8-8) Mid-division, chased leading pair over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Glad Big (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcap (4) pol.
Cursum Perficio 7-2fav (9-4) In touch, short of room over 5f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied to lead post, won at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jun beating Major Magpie (8-10) by a hd, 12 ran.
Fajr (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (8-11) In touch, headway to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra just inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Raza Cab (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Island Rapture 9-1 (8-7) Held up behind, headway 2f out, kept on steadily inside final furlong but not trouble leaders, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Nice Tune (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f fll hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Oakley Absolute 8-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar beating Physical (8-8) by a nk, 12 ran.
Whitgift Rock 25-1 (8-12) Prominent on outer, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 7th of 13, 6l behind Raza Cab (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Voice Mail 20-1 (8-9) Soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened quickly 2f out, last of 14, 29l behind Rustler (8-11) at Bath 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct.
Luis Melendez (USA) 7-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Physical (7-13) at Lingfield 1m hcap (5) pol in Mar.
Mr Velocity (IRE) 4-1 (8-6) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind dhtrs Star of Light (9-0) & Lucayan Legend (9-5) at Nottingham 1m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Physical (IRE) 3-1fav (8-7) Raced wide in touch, hard driven on outer 2f out, kept on under strong pressure inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 2l behind Molem (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcap (6) pol.
