tracked leader, led briefly 3f out, soon headed, weakened quickly 2f out
soon led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened rapidly
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon lost place and beaten 2f out
held up behind, progress on outer 2f out to chase leaders, switched sharply right inside final furlong, ran on strongly, just failed
in rear, some headway 3f out, never nearer
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, ridden and stayed on same pace from over 1f out
started slowly, soon in touch, ridden and lost place 3f out, soon in rear
prominent, led over 2f out, hard pressed final furlong, headed final strides
held up, in touch 2f out, ridden and one pace from over 1f out
towards rear, moderate headway over 1f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway 2f out to chase leaders, stayed on well inside final furlong, led final strides
steadied start, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out to chase leaders, soon ridden and no progress from over 1f out
close up, every chance 2f out, ridden and stayed on same pace from over 1f out
chased leaders to 3f out, soon weakened
in touch on outer to over 3f out, soon weakened
This race is a bit of a headscratcher with Malak Al Moubouk, Liberty Royal, Pella and Tuscarora all among those to hold chances, but we will side with Habshan. The selection comes into the reckoning by virtue of the fact that he is only two-pounds higher in the ratings than when scoring at Newmarket in July, is lightly-raced so open to improvement and Darryll Holland is in the plate. That gives him a lot of ticks in the right boxes. Malak Al Moubouk is also lightly raced but has shown a deal of promise and is now dropped back to a mile, while Liberty Royal has threatened to win a race of this type, went pretty well last time and his stable is now in much better form, generally speaking. Pella comes here in good heart following a Yarmouth soft-ground success and, although he's yet to win a handicap, a mark of 61 may not have found him out. Of the others, Tuscarora remains commendably consistent, Young Alex, despite his absence, hails from the Martin Pipe yard so a market move would be interesting, and it's about time Dash For Cover started putting a better foot forward. Overall, though, the shout might just lie with Habshan.