took keen hold and led early, tracked leader, challenged 2f out, every chance when wandered under pressure over 1f out, stumbled and lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd
held up in last pair, pushed along in rear 3f out, soon beaten
held up in last pair, headway on outside 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, went 2nd and edged right inside final furlong, stayed on to lead close home, bit in hand
chased leaders, ridden on outside 2f out, stayed on under pressure over 1f out, not quite pace to challenge
chased leading pair on inside, pushed along well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, lost places towards finish
soon led and set steady pace, joined 2f out, kept slight advantage and kept on gamely until headed close home
steadied start, held up last, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, almost snatched 3rd
Nonrunner
Hiking has failed to take advantage of two winnable opportunities in handicaps so we will side with VOYAGEOFDISCOVERY on this occasion. Clive Cox's string are operating at the peak of their powers and the gelding won at Windsor with something in hand. It's not too often that Godolphin send their debutants to Thirsk and Fajry dismissed his rivals with contempt at the North Yorkshire track. The handicapper has allocated a rating of 84 on his first foray into a handicap and he'll need to be seriously useful in order to defy it. Sol Hunter and Khee Society have had plenty of chances against inferior opposition while Tigers In Red makes a belated reappearance having disappointed at Kempton Park. Malachim Mist had some smart juvenile form to his name but he hasn't shown much in the way of sparkle this season.
Fajry (USA) 11-8fav (9-5) With leader, led 2f out, soon ridden, clear over 1f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Thirsk 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jun beating Incredible Fresh (9-5) by 4l, 9 ran.
Tigers In Red (USA) 11-2 (9-7) Held up in touch, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 7l behind Passing Star (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Hiking (USA) 6-1 (9-6) Held up mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 5l behind Billingsgate (9-5) at Doncaster 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Triple Chief (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Raced wide mid-division, ridden 3f out, not trouble leaders, 8th of 13, 7l behind Agent Murphy (9-4) at Sandown 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jun.
Malachim Mist (IRE) 10-1 (8-4) In touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 14l behind Invincible Fresh (9-2) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Solo Hunter 10-1 (9-6) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, 7th of 9, 18l behind Our Gabrial (9-7) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Khee Society 2-1fav (9-0) Held up in last pair, pushed along 3f out, never on terms, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Charlie Wells (9-0) at Chepstow 1m 3yo stk 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Voyageofdiscovery (USA) 13-8fav (8-10) Close up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed out, readily, won at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun beating Ravenous (9-1) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
