slowly into stride, recovered to lead after 1f, headed approaching 2f out, weakened rapidly over 1f out
steady in touch, challenged 2f out, soon narrow lead, hard ridden and in command final furlong, ran on gamely
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, one pace final 2f
took keen hold with leader until weakend 2f out
held up in rear on inside, switched right over 1f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
led for 1f, stayed prominent, ridden to lead approaching 2f out, headed inside final 2f, held inside final furlong, kept on
held up, pushed along 3f out, soon outpaced
raced wide in rear, headway 3f out, chased leader pair 2f out, no impression final furlong
chased leaders, not much room on inside 2f out, one pace after
Nonrunner
McNairobi, Benandonner and Empire Dancer are all in form and we will stick with McNairobi in this quality handicap. A good winner at Kempton on Wednesday night, a 6lb penalty will have to be defied but that success was nevertheless impressive enough to suggest that the handicapper wont be quite so accommodating once he has a chance to do his sums. Benandonner is capable of leading up the field and ran creditably on handicap debut. Exceptionally well bred, there should be an opportunity for him if he can act on the surface. Conrad Allan had a winner earlier in the week and he teams up again with Kirsty Milczarek with Empire Dancer. The gelding is also likely to race handily although he is not known for possessing much in the way of a finish. Mahrajaan flopped at Chester after impressively landing a Warwick maiden. It is difficult to believe that that was his true running and a watching brief is advised as to the market. Air Biscuit lost both shoes on her most recent outing and is not out of it on some of her better lines of form. Josie Marcus's York maiden form catches the eye and the market is watched for any positives on an artificial debut. McNairobi did enough to suggest that he is ahead of the handicapper and he is likely to be priced accordingly.
Josie Marcus (USA) 9-4fav (9-9) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 8, 7l behind Meditation (9-7) at Salisbury 7f fll hcp (4) gf in Jul.
McNairobi 20-1 (8-13) Chased leader, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol beating Dancing Guest (9-1) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Empire Dancer (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 5l behind Dame Hester (9-7) at Folkestone 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Scroll 20-1 (9-4) Raced wide in last trio, ridden and struggling 3f out, soon well behind, 6th of 8, 20l behind Tamagin (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Benandonner (USA) 4-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, still every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 3rd of 9, nk behind Night Cru (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Doctor David 20-1 (8-9) Led 1f, stayed prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon lost touch, eased final 2f, last of 10, 35l behind Cross The Line (9-8) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jul.
Air Biscuit (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Held up, stumbled over 5f out, not clear run briefly over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd well inside final furlong (lost both front shoes), 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Hoh Wotanite (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jul.
Mahrajaan (USA) 11-4fav (9-6) Tracked leader, pushed along halfway, soon behind, last of 8, 22l behind Glenmuir (9-6) at Chester 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
