in touch in rear, headway entering final furlong, pressed winner inside final furlong, ran on, but always held
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
close up, ridden 2f out, effort inside final furlong, not pace to challenge
tracked leaders, ridden and headway between horse entering final furlong, soon led, pressed inside final furlong, found extra and ran on close home
THIKRIYAAT (NAP) returned to action with a defeat of subsequent winning handicapper Tabarrak to remain unbeaten. Sir Michael Stoute’s charge has a bit to find on these terms but has plenty of scope for further progress. Scrutineer was well ahead of a below-par Raucous when second in the Free Handicap here last month but both can figure in this if at their best while Race Day ran well in an All-Weather Championship race at Lingfield in March and the winner has since won a Listed race. Elronaq failed to build on a third in the July Stakes last year and attempts 7f for the first time while Dragon Mall has plenty to find at the weights.
Dragon Mall (USA) 10-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, weakened over 1f out, no impression in 5th final furlong, 5th of 8, 10 1/4l behind Gifted Master (9-1) at Newmarket 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Elronaq 7-2 (9-1) Awkward start, chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Projection (9-1) at Salisbury 6f stks (2) gs in Sep.
Race Day (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Led over 6f out, steadied pace over 3f out, ridden 2 lengths clear 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Sea of Flames (9-5) at Lingfield 1m stks (2) pol in Mar.
Scrutineer (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Keen tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Ibn Malik (9-6) at Newmarket 7f hcp lst (1) gs in Apr.
Thikriyaat (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Dwelt close up centre, headway over 1f out, ridden to press leader inside final furlong, led close home, won at Newmarket 7f stks (3) gs in Apr beating Tabarrak (9-2) by nk, 5 ran.
Raucous 3-1jfav (9-5) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 10 1/4l behind Ibn Malik (9-6) at Newmarket 7f hcp lst (1) gs in Apr.