held up and behind, headway over 1f out, pushed along and kept on inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish
chased winner until over 2f out, soon weakened
took keen hold, in touch, pushed along over 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, chased winner over 2f out, closed gradually inside final furlong, always just held
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden, hung left and went 3rd over 1f out, not quicken and lost 3rd near finish
started very slowly and always in rear
held up, pushed along 4f out, never near leaders
reminders soon after start, soon chased leaders, driven along 3f out, soon weakened
made all, kicked on 3f out, soon clear, kept on gamely towards finish, just lasted
slowly into stride, held up, always towards rear
HANDSOME FALCON is a speculative selection to get the better of Hyde Lea Flyer and Focail Eile. The last named won here last time out and has a solid chance of following up from just a 3lb higher mark. The four-year-old is versatile regarding tactics and shouldn't be underestimated. Hyde Lea Flyer ran well in a Nottingham maiden a couple of seasons ago, so should cope with the ground. However, his best recent form has been posted on an artificial surface so he does need to conclusively prove he is effective on grass. The (very) lightly raced Laafet is another worth a mention, as he won his only start on the Flat in good style three weeks ago. The worth of that form is yet to be really given an acid test, but this half-brother to Ashkal Way has been kept in training for a reason and he may have even more to offer now he tries a mile for the first time. However, Handsome Falcon is now back on a winning mark and, as he holds a definite edge is terms of experience; this looks like another good opportunity for the Richard Fahey's team to strike gold with their in-form string.
Faithful Ruler (USA) 7-4fav (9-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 11l behind Soccerjackpot (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Laafet 50-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, driven ahead final 100 yards, kept on well, won at Yarmouth 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gd in Jul beating Betony (8-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Hyde Lea Flyer 6-1 (8-13) Pulled hard early, ridden over 3f out, no impression, tailed off final furlong, last of 10, 47l behind Uncle Fred (8-13) at Newbury 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Handsome Falcon 7-1 (8-13) Close up, soon chasing winner, ridden 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Celtic Change (9-8) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Focail Eile 5-2fav (10-0) Tracked leaders, switched left 2f out, ridden and headway soon after, stayed on to lead post, won at Leicester 1m hcp 0-75 (5) hvy beating Very Well Red (9-13) by nk, 7 ran.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along 3f out, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 8l behind Sonny Parkin (9-6) at Newmarket 1m app hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Blue Spinnaker (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Always behind, 9th of 12, 23l behind Celtic Change (9-8) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Saa'ida (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, always in rear, well beaten and tailed off when eased from over 1f out, 9th of 11, 22l behind Stan's Cool Cat (9-7) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo fll hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Jul.
Marning Star 50-1 (9-7) Tracked leader until 4f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Focail Eile (9-5) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Jul.
Silver Hotspur 33-1 (9-1) Held up on outside, behind final 3f, 9th of 13, 12l behind Mozayada (9-1) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
