took keen hold early, tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong
held up, headway under pressure over 2f out, soon ridden, weakening when slightly hampered over 1f out, eased afterwards
held up mid-division, ridden 3f out, not quicken from 2f out, one pace
tracked leaders, hung left over 3f out, soon lost place and weakened quickly 2f out
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway and effort over 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened quickly over 1f out
led stands side group to over 2f out, stayed on well, not pace of leader inside final furlong
led until headed over 1f out, kept on under pressure, weakened well inside final furlong
held up rear stands side group, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong
behind, some headway from 2f out, never dangerous
started slowly, behind and ridden along, reminders over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no progress, soon beaten
always behind, never dangerous from 3f out
held up in touch, lost place halfway, dropped rear, never dangerous afterwards
As you would expect, a very competitive heat but we are happy to side with Mukafeh, with his main dangers reckoned to be Ace Of Hearts, Moonlight Man, Santa Fe, Calcutta and Uhoomagoo. The selection represents the classy element of the field, having finished fifth in last season's Jersey Stakes. Having made a pleasing return for the year at Nottingham, he can build on that and run well today. Santa Fe is also interesting as Sir Michael Stoute's runner, who has always been held in high regard, enters handicap company for the first time today and should go well. Despite a rise in the weights for his Sandown win, Ace Of Hearts can still go well, and he meets Moonlight Man, who might prefer this track to Sandown, on the same as when beating him by two heads, while Norton is actually six pounds better off for the just-over half-length that he was beaten by Ace Of Hearts at an earlier Sandown meeting. Fine Silver has not built on his April course and distance win, although he is back to that winning mark now. The Cambridgeshire winner Spanish Don can be given a chance of sorts, while Persian Majesty has form enough to play a part if at his best. Uhoomagoo is not far above a winning mark and is the type to run well in this cavalry charge, while Calcutta wasn't beaten far in this last year from a seven-pounds higher mark, which affords him respect. Tarraman is well-regarded by maybe lacks the necessary experience and Dark Charm is not a forlorn hope of bottom weight with his stable in form. Overall, though, we will stick with Mukafeh.
Mukafeh (USA) 9-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Take A Bow (9-4) at Nottingham 1m stk (2) gs in Jun.
Persian Majesty (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 4l behind Songlark (8-12) at Pontefract 1m 4f lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Spanish Don 16-1 (9-2) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, 18th of 22, 22l behind New Seeker (9-0) at York 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Josephus (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Keen, held up in mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out, last of 11, 16l behind Sleeping Indian (8-10) at Newmarket 1m lst stk (A1) gs in Oct.
Ace of Hearts 9-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on well final furlong, led on line, won at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gf beating Momtic (9-1) by a hd, 17 ran.
Santa Fe (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Held up in touch near side group, chased leaders over 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 7, 7l behind Council Member (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 3yo lst stk (1) gs in May.
Moonlight Man 9-4fav (9-9) In touch stand's side, headway to lead overall 2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Chepstow 7f hcp (3) gf beating Spirit of France (8-4) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Norton (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Led, ridden 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 17, 7l behind Ace of Hearts (8-9) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gf.
Another Bottle (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Always towards rear, 14th of 21, 14l behind Mullins Bay (9-7) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-110 (2) gd.
Calcutta 33-1 (8-11) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 6l behind Ace of Hearts (8-9) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gf.
Capable Guest (IRE) 66-1 (8-10) Always towards rear, 18th of 21, 21l behind Proclamation (8-13) at York 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Nashaab (USA) 8-1 (9-12) Reluctant to race and behind, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 7l behind Hadrian (8-10) at Haydock 1m hcp (3) gf.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Prominent, ridden and not much room over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 3l behind Hadrian (8-10) at Haydock 1m hcp (3) gf.
Uhoomagoo 14-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, never on terms, 10th of 23, 7l behind Jedburgh (9-8) at York 7f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Seneschal 33-1 (9-11) Held up, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 13, 5l behind Acomb (8-9) at Epsom 7f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Tarraman (USA) 7-2 (9-5) Hampered start, behind, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, carried head high and one pace final furlong, 5th of 7, 5l behind Fly To Dubai (8-3) at Ripon 1m 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Dark Charm (FR) 14-1 (9-1) Took keen hold behind leaders, hampered 3f out, not recover, 13th of 18, 18l behind Namroud (8-10) at York 1m hcp (3) gd.
Fine Silver (IRE) 66-1 (8-11) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 20, 16l behind Imperial Stride (8-11) at York 1m 2f lst hcp (1) gf in Jun.
