mid-division, lost place over 8f out, headway under pressure over 3f out, edged right and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slightly hampered start, mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and pressing leaders 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in rear, not much room over 8f out, ridden over 2f out, switched right over 2f out, never on terms
held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, ridden 3f out, no headway
held up in rear, not clear run when making headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish
mid-division, took keen hold, ridden over 3f out, edged left and effort 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
prominent, led over 6f out, headed 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway under pressure over 2f out, kept on same pace, not trouble leaders
held up, took keen hold, not clear run when making headway over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
went right start, led early, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and lost place over 3f out
slightly hampered start, held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, led 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
soon led, headed over 6f out, stayed front rank, lost place over 2f out
prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out
This has proved to be a tremendously competitive handicap in the past and this season's renewal is no exception. There have been six double-digit winners in the last 10 years and only one successful favourite but punters should get a run for their money out of Rain Mac. This is only his fourth start and he's entitled to reverse York running in May with Mica Mika. John Gosden's colt also beat Halfsin, who is chasing a hat-trick here, and Fulgur over a mile here in September and meets both on better terms today. Malthouse and Swift Alhaarth are at opposite ends of the handicap but both of Mark Johnston's runners can be given some sort of chance, while Club Oceanic is still on the up and Labarinto was second on the Rowley Mile course here last time. The consistent Tullius should also go well but Roger Varian has wasted no time putting MIJHAAR back over 1m2f after he apparently failed to get home when fourth in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. He is potentially a Group-class horse running against handicappers so gets the vote.
Malthouse (GER) 14-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Dominant (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo aut stk (2) gs in Jun.
Mijhaar 10-3 (8-12) Pulled hard, raced on wide outside 1st 3f, in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, never any chance with winner, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 9l behind Nathaniel (8-12) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gs in Jun.
Glencadam Gold (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Led 1f, chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Nathaniel (8-12) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gs in Jun.
Seelo (USA) 4-11fav (9-11) Led 1f, tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, went 2nd 2f out, outpaced and never on terms with winner, weakened to 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Ivan Vasilevich (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun.
Club Oceanic 5-4fav (9-7) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden and effort between horses to 2nd over 1f out, driven to narrow lead and edged right inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun beating Zain Shamardal (9-4) by nk, 8 ran.
Azrael 9-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, raced wide tracking leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final 3f, tailed off and eased, last of 8, 48l behind Kuala Limper (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Labarinto 7-2 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, ran on, always held, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Al Kazeem (9-4) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Well Sharp 40-1 (8-12) Raced wide towards rear, headway 4f out, chased winner inside final 3f, driven and edged right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, always held, 3rd of 18, 7l behind Brown Panther (8-13) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Jun.
Discoteca 40-1 (9-0) Mid-division on inside, pushed along 5f out, soon lost place, behind and no chance when hampered on inside over 2f out, 16th of 18, well behind Brown Panther (8-13) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Jun.
Star Surprise 8-1 (9-7) Led early, tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, stayed on near finish, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Barney Rebel (9-0) at Sandown 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Jun.
Fulgur 14-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway to 5th under pressure 3f out, one pace and no progress final 2f, 5th of 10, 13l behind Nathaniel (8-12) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gs in Jun.
Tullius (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Close up, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed 1f out, still every chance when not much room on inside throughout final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Barney Rebel (9-0) at Sandown 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Jun.
Waltz Darling (IRE) 40-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, last and struggling when pushed along 4f out, stayed on inside final furlong, took modest 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Sea Moon (9-7) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
Rain Mac 5-1 (9-7) Dwelt, held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Sud Pacifique (9-7) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Mica Mika (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 18, 37l behind Brown Panther (8-13) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Jun.
Fadhaa (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Mid-division, switched wide and headway to track leader over 6f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 10l behind Whiplash Willie (8-10) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Jun.
Swift Alhaarth (IRE) 9-2fav (8-9) Led, ridden and headed 1f out, 1/2 lenght down when tightened up on rail inside final furlong, no impression after, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Highland Castle (8-13) at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Swindy 3-1 (9-0) Led 1f, tracked winner until ran wide into straight 2f out, rallied to go 2nd again inside furlong, not pace to challenge winner, 2nd of 3, 1 1/4l behind Musawama (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo stks 0-75 (5) pol in Apr.
Halfsin (IRE) 1-2fav (9-7) Led early, chased leaders in 3rd, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly and edged left over 1f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, just held on post, won at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr beating Oasis Storm (8-13) by ns, 4 ran.
