close up, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened 1f out
behind, some headway halfway, never trouble leaders
in touch to over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and every chance 1f out, no extra and weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, steady headway 2f out, stayed on strongly to lead well inside final furlong, driven out
led until headed just inside final furlong, no extra and weakened final 100 yards
in rear, good headway over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish
held up, headway and every chance 1f out, kept on to take 2nd post
held up behind, some headway 2f out, not reach leaders and soon weakened
held up, ridden 2f out, soon one pace
dwelt, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, headway over 1f out, led narrowly just inside final furlong, soon headed, lost 3rd post
held up in touch to halfway, weakened under pressure well over 1f out
held up, effort over 1f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
with leader to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Spanish Ace might just provide the answer in this tricky handicap, but Armagnac, Najeebon, Idle Power, Indian Trail, Doitknow and Caustic Wit are all worthy of consideration. The selection has been running over a variety of distances but seemed to be best suited by today's trip when fifth in a valuable handicap at Newmarket last time. With a good draw, a repeat of that type of effort should see him go well. Armagnac, Morse, Najeebon (who is back to below a winning mark) and Idle Power are all closely weighted on their Ascot runs over seven on July 9, and, with a good draw, Armagnac might come out on top again. Caustic Wit continues to defy the handicapper and, while looking vulnerable off topweight as he bids for his sixth win of the year, should still go well. A couple of others to consider are the lightly-raced Doitnow, who should still be improving, and David Elsworth's Indian Trail, who might yet prove best at this trip and should be sharper for his seasonal return. Overall, though, in what is, as we say, a competitive race, we will side with the locally-trained Spanish Ace.