went left start, soon led, pushed along and headed entering final 3f, weakened rapidly over 2f out, tailed off and eased
tracked leaders, 2nd entering final 3f, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra final 100 yards
held up in last trio, not clear run on rail and switched right over 3f out, soon pushed along and outpaced, headway edging left and chased leaders 2f out, soon ridden, plugged on into 3rd towards finish
took keen hold, held up last, smooth headway on wide outside over 2f out, chased leaders 2f out, ridden over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final 100 yards
held up in 5th, headway on outside over 3f out, chased leading pair over 2f out, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out, no impression on winner when lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra and dropped to 4th close home
took keen hold tracking leading pair, pushed along reluctant carried head high and not quicken over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, not run on
tracked leader, led entering final 3f, headed over 2f out, ridden and lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong
An interesting handicap in which the Nathan Alison's claim is taken to prove the decisive factor on FLIPPANT. The Pivotal filly had been progressing nicely enough in ordinary company before being sent to Epsom on Derby Day for a highly competitive handicap in which nothing went right for the Haggas inmate. She's been given a good rest since and will have no issue with the forecast softened conditions. Fire Fighting will need to improve again on a dour Brighton success, whereas Mythical Madness should have more to offer after just three starts. However, it's the progressive Shafrah who rates the biggest threat, ahead of Billy Blue, despite top weight.
Shafrah (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Agent Murphy (9-4) at Sandown 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jun.
Fire Fighting (IRE) 9-4fav (9-7) Slowly into stride, soon tracked leading pair on inside, switched right and squeezed through to lead over 2f out, driven and pressed when hung left final 100 yards, held on gamely, won at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf beating Muhawalah (9-6) by hd, 6 ran.
Mythical Madness 4-1 (9-6) Soon steadied into last pair, pushed along and progress 2f out, soon ridden and not quicken, went left over 1f out, one pace in 5th and no impression final furlong, 5th of 7, 4l behind Prince Of Stars (9-6) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Flippant 7-1 (8-0) Held up in last pair, ridden on outside 3f out, hung left and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 6l behind What About Carlo (9-2) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun.
Crystal Nymph (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Slowly away, held up in last pair, never involved, 8th of 9, 12l behind Sleeper (8-5) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo fll hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Billy Blue 5-2fav (9-5) Held up in touch, lost place over 7f out, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Masterpaver (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Ghosting (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on again in closing stages went 3rd final strides, never able to challenge, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Shimba Hills (8-13) at Ffos Las 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
