keen, held up in rear, came towards centre over 8f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance from over 1f out, hung right final furlong, stayed on
tracked leaders, came toward centre over 8f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, came towards centre over 8f out, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
led, headed 9f out, came towards centre and led that group over 8f out, ridden and over all leader over 1f out, driven out
led 9f out, stayed on stands side rail, over all leader, headed and hung right over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
close up, came towards centre over 8f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, held up, came towards centre over 8f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
This interesting handicap can go to Oligarch, with his biggest dangers reckoned to be Evaluator and Victory Design. Forcing tactics worked the oracle for Oligarch last time and similar tactics make him very interesting under a penalty. As such, he gets the vote. Dafore showed improved form to finish fourth in first-time blinkers last time and could go well, but he is probably better on an easier surface. Raised four pounds for his second to High Dyke last time, the lightly raced Victory Design has to be considered, although he is the three-year-old racing against older horses, which is not always advantageous at this time of year. Rawdon finally landed his maiden last time, although it is hard to assess the value of that win. Captain Clipper won on soft going at Thirsk last season but has not been seen for over a year and is maybe best watched. Finally, with European import Petite Paramour having a bit to prove, we give a solid shout to Evaluator, who is more than capable of running a good race from his current mark, as he did at Ascot last autumn. However, the overall vote goes to Oligarch.
Evaluator (IRE) 6-1 (8-5) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, was weakening when slightly hampered on rail over 1f out, 11th of 17, 6l behind Momtic (8-4) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Petite Paramour (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) Held up in mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 49l behind Topkat (9-8) at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp (4) gf.
Captain Clipper 25-1 (8-13) Always behind, weakened over 3f out, soon eased, tailed off, 17th of 19, well behind Balkan Knight (8-11) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (C) gs in May '04.
Rawdon (IRE) 7-4fav (9-11) With leader, led over 2f out, driven out, won at Haydock 1m 3f mdn stk (4) gf in May beating Gala Evening (8-10) by 2l, 9 ran.
Dafore 16-1 (9-3) Tracked winner, effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Trew Class (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in May.
Oligarch (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Always prominent, led well over 2f out, ridden out, won at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (4) gf beating Gavroche (10-0) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Sweet Indulgence (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Raced wide in touch, stayed on same pace final 2f, 6th of 15, 7l behind Trew Class (9-2) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (4) gf.
Victory Design (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) In touch, not clear run briefly over 1f out, squeezed through to chase winner inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind High Dyke (9-0) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf.
