dwelt, soon tracked leaders, outpaced and pushed along 3f out, stayed on to 3rd just inside final 2f, no impression inside final furlong
tracked winner throughout, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
tracked leaders until weakened just inside final 2f, soon behind, eased
raced keenly, made all, quickend over 2f out, in control 2f out, clear when eased towards finish, unchallenged
took keen hold in rear, ridden and some headway on outside in 4th when edged left over 1f out, no impression
Based on his first two runs MUSHREQ is well treated on his handicap bow so despite a poorer effort last time Sir Michael Stoute's runner has the call with Crunched considered after his last time out win while Onyx Of Arabia looks the only other viable danger. Although never closer than around seven lengths to winning a maiden the pick did easily hold Total Command, two starts ago, and with that rival going on to win a handicap off a mark of 80 and then place in Group company it's far to say the Stoute runner looks well treated racing off a rating of 73. His debut run also offers hope so we'll take that risk. Crunched capped a progressive run of form with a victory that was more comfortable than the bare margin suggests on his last run, that said he may struggled under his new weight. Onyx Of Arabia looked capable of more when easily accounting for Plus Ultra at Windsor two starts back. He didn't quite follow that up last time and even though that was a decent effort the handicapper seems to be in charge now. Outside this trio the others make little appeal so we take Mushreq to win on his handicap bow.
Skyrider (IRE) 10-3 (9-7) Slowly into stride, behind, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out, 11th of 12, 21l behind Centime (8-12) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jun.
Crunched 4-1 (9-0) Led 2f, settled 3rd, led again 3f out, strongly pressed from 2f out, ridden 1f out, stayed on gamely inside final furlong, in command towards finish, won at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo stk 0-70 (5) gd in Jun beating Heaven Forbid (9-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Step In Time (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Soon tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 6l behind Elmfield Giant (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Mushreq (USA) 11-10fav (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway on outer approaching 2f out, ridden over 1f out, faded entering final furlong, 5th of 11, 12l behind Uphold (9-0) at Nottingham 1m mdn stks (5) gs in Jun.
Shoot The Pot (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) With leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed and weakened, 6th of 12, 9l behind Onyx Of Arabia (8-13) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jun.
Onyx Of Arabia (IRE) 3-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, headway when bumped over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, not pace to challenge, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Kerchak (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Lord Raglan (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 6th of 11, 11l behind Aktia (9-4) at Haydock 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
First In The Queue (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Ridden 4f out, always towards rear, 11th of 15, 25l behind Lost In The Moment (9-5) at Newbury 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
