slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance final furlong, one pace inside final furlong
held up, smooth headway to lead approaching final furlong, stayed on well inside final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
tracked leader, led 3f out, soon ridden, headed well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up, outpaced 3f out, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, always held towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden well over 2f out, soon lost place
tracked leaders, led well over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, one pace
prominent, weakened inside final furlong
led to 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Emirates Sports still should have plenty to offer but after a disappointing run on quick ground last time we instead turn to the in form MOUNTAIN CAT to land this handicap with Motafarred also on the shortlist. The selection is on the hunt of a four timer and did his winning well last time under a similar burden. He has more to do stepping up to this class but he loves quick ground and in this mood he's hard to ignore. Emeriates Sports has won twice on the polytrack but his two starts on turf leave a nagging doubt about his chances, especially last time when he beat just one of a small field home. There's no reason he shouldn't go well on turf but the ground might be on the quick side for him. Motafarred just missed out off this mark last time and will handle the conditions so looks in with a chance while Pride Of Kings has won twice on a rock hard surface and is still competitively treated. This is a pretty decent contest where we side with the form horse Mountain Cat.
Flawed Genius 9-1 (9-9) Mid-division, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 15l behind Moheebb (9-3) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Just Bond (IRE) 11-1 (8-5) Always in rear, never on terms, 11th of 16, 7l behind Flawed Genius (8-10) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May.
Emirates Sports 13-8fav (9-4) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair on inner, ridden and unable to quicken when not clear run briefly 2f out, one pace after and no impression final 1f, 5th of 6, 4l behind Broad Cairn (8-11) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
Pride of Kings 6-1 (8-2) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 15l behind Sri Putra (9-7) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-110 (2) gd in Jul.
Observatory Star (IRE) 17-2 (9-3) Mid-division, headway under pressure over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on well, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Moheebb (9-3) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Motafarred (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Led, ridden over 1f out, narrowly headed 1f out, driven and kept on, 2nd of 14, nk behind Exit Smiling (9-8) at Pontefract 1m (4) gd.
Mountain Cat (IRE) 10-11fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon edged right, kept on final furlong, won at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun beating Grand Diamond (8-9) by 1l, 7 ran.
Reel Buddy Star 6-1 (8-12) Prominent, led well over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Bold Cross (9-3) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Toledo Gold (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Led, pushed along and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 11l behind Tiger Reigns (8-12) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
