chased leaders in third early, headway to press leader 2f out, led just before 1f out, soon in command, pushed out, easily
prominent, dropped to midfield after halfway, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, set good tempo, joined 2f out, headed just before 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on gamely to hold on for second
held up, outpaced in last 4f out, lost ground again inside final furlong, finished a short way detached
midfield, chased leaders from 3f out, ridden 1f out, kept on to take fourth near finish
prominent, chased leaders 2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on one pace inside final 110 yards, always holding third near finish
slowly away, held up towards rear, outpaced halfway, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden in fourth 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, dropped to fifth near finish
held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden in midfield 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
midfield, pushed along halfway, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, never dangerous
This is quite competitive for a Class 6 handicap. Obee Jo has been going well and receives weight all round so shouldn’t be far away but NINE ELMS loves it here and was only beaten half-a-length at the track last time having a first run for Kevin Frost. The drop back to a mile has to be in his favour. Big Narstie won off a 2lb lower mark at Southwell when last in this grade but he’s never won on Turf and neither has Haydock second Roman Dynasty. Esticky End has a long absence to overcome but Makalu must have some sort of chance.
Roman Dynasty (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Close up, ridden and headway 2f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Finbar's Lad (9-10) at Haydock 1m hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Nine Elms (USA) 6-5fav (10-1) Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed shortly before line, 3rd of 5, 1/2l behind Longuerue (9-12) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (6) gf in May.
Saisons D'Or (IRE) 11-1 (9-11) Dwelt, keen soon close up, tracked leaders halfway, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Yoshimi (9-7) at Carlisle 7f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Big Narstie (FR) 7-2 (9-1) Held up in last trio on inside, some headway between horses over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 6 1/4l behind Okeanos (8-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Hotspur Harry (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, held up off the pace in last pair, never in the race, last of 9, 14l behind Youthful King (9-2) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Langton Wold (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Towards rear, driven over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Menelaus (9-7) at Thirsk 1m hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Esticky End (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 7l behind Shine On Brendan (9-6) at Ayr 1m hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Kalahari Prince (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along over 2f out, not clearest of runs inside final furlong, lost two places close home, 5th of 9, 2l behind Dandy's Angel (8-4) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Makalu (IRE) 5-2 (10-1) Keen, tracked leaders, headway on inner to lead 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish n, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind My Honey B (9-5) at Hamilton 1m hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Obee Jo (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Behind, soon ridden along, headway and hung left over 1f out, not able to trouble leaders, 5th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Menelaus (9-7) at Thirsk 1m hcp (5) gf in Jun.
