led far side, headed 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear stand side, headway and effort 2f out, one pace under pressure
with leader far side, challenged 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear far side, headway 2f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on strongly
held up towards rear far side, headway over 2f out, effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up towards rear stand side, headway halfway, led group 2f out, until no extra inside final furlong
held up far side, headway halfway, effort and chance 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, headway to lead 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no chance with winner
held up towards rear far side, headway 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led stand side, headed 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders stand side, effort 2f out, stayed on to lead group inside final furlong, no chance with far side
slowly into stride, towards rear stand side, never dangerous
chased leaders stand side, weakened halfway, eased final 2f
tracked leaders stand side, pushed along halfway, weakened over 2f out
in touch far side, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch far side, ridden over 2f out, weakening when hampered over 1f out
held up in mid-division far side, effort 2f out, one pace final furlong
Another competitive handicap with many of the 19 runners holding claims including Chappel Cresent, Mystic Man, Soyuz and Digital but the vote goes to Raphael, who is taken to resume winning ways. Tim Easterby's filly has a bit to find with Chappel Crescent on running at Chester but she was done few favours with the draw that day and is probably better judged on her previous win at Thirsk. The daughter of Perugino seemed not to stay a mile at the same venue last time and is best suited by a strongly run seven furlongs. She is sure to get that here and off just a 4lb higher mark than when last successful Raphael seems well enough treated. Tony Tie continued the resurgence of Jim Goldie's yard when landing a classified stakes race at Ayr last week and has to be respected under a 6lb penalty. Ian Semple's Ulysees also has a 6lb penalty to carry for his win at Ayr and of more interest may be Mick Channon's Digital, who is set to go up 4lbs in future handicaps following an improved display at the same venue last week. Kevin Ryan's Mystic Man was well backed for the Buckingham Palace Stakes last week on the strength of earlier solid form in similar company to today's and ran well in finishing third among those up the stands' side rails. He has to be respected turned out again so quickly, as does the Michael Jarvis-trained Soyuz, who is better than his last time out effort at Kempton would suggest. Michael Bell's consistent Zilch, the William Haggas-trained Polar Bear, Ripon winner Hills of Gold and Lynda Ramsden's Distant Country are others worthy of a mention in an ultra competitive heat but the vote goes to Raphael, who should be well served by the likely strong pace.
