held up 4th, effort over 2f out, not quicker weakened over 1f out
held up 6th, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra, faded towards finish
started slowly, always last, never dangerous final 2f
led, pressed over 2f out, kept on strongly under pressure until headed well inside final furlong
tracked leader, pressed leader from over 2f out, led well inside final furlong and asserted near finish
tracked leaders, effort on inside over 1f out, unable to challenge, faded well inside final furlong
held up 5th, in touch, ridden and not paced to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Main Aim is selected to retain his unbeaten record despite his only workmanlike victory over the course last time. This half-brother to Home Affairs created a big impression when winning at Salisbury on debut and the assumption was that the assessor that not been harsh by allotting him a mark of 85 for his handicap debut. He did show signs of greenness throughout last time, been slow away before appearing to idle in the closing stages. It could be that he just does enough when hitting the front which means the handicapper is not given the opportunity to clobber him. A mark of 90 should not prevent Main Aim from completing the hat-trick. Brassini is 5lb better off with Main Aim for a two length beating two starts back. He has since run at Newmarket last week, where he was just touched off by Carniolan who incidentally is an improving sort himself and finished second behind Main Aim at Salisbury. Carniolan though should have landed that Newmarket event with much more authority as he did meet trouble in running and Brassini is flattered by his proximity to that improving sort. Rod Millman's charge is utterly consistent but one feels is vulnerable against an unexposed type like Main Aim. Pegasus Again hails from a yard that are beginning to hit a vein of form but he has been disappointing this season. The handicapper has dropped him 5lb for his run in the Earl Of Feilden Stakes, after which his rider reported his breathing was hindering him. This drop back in trip is presumably to overcome that problem but until he proves he is over that, he is one to avoid. Noble Citizen put in an improved effort last time when dropped back to seven furlongs, racing handily for most of the journey before hanging fire inside the closing stages. He should be capable of picking up a handicap over seven furlongs off his current mark but Main Aim is the pick.
Sophie's Girl 28-1 (8-9) Raced far side, held up in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, 18th of 20, 15l behind Spanish Bounty (8-7) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Main Aim 4-6fav (8-12) Behind, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf beating Firestreak (9-5) by a nk, 9 ran.
Pegasus Again (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, weakened 2f out, last of 6, 9l behind Campanologist (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in Apr.
Zakhaaref 9-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 11l behind Adversity (9-3) at Chester 7f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Brassini 10-1 (9-9) Went right start, soon prominent, ridden into narrow advantage over 2f out, kept on, headed line, 2nd of 8, hd behind Carniolan (9-10) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Noble Citizen (USA) 10-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, led 3f out, hung left approaching 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Relative Order (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Smokey Rye 13-2 (9-2) Held up in rear, never a factor, 8th of 9, 15l behind Dubai Power (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (4) pol.
