held up towards rear, headway from over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong
mid-division, under pressure over 3f out, soon faded
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
always behind
in touch, under pressure well over 2f out, soon weakened and edged right
mid-division, headway 2f out, soon switched left, led briefly inside final furlong, soon headed and no extra close home
held up in touch, ridden to challenge 2f out, stayed on well
held up towards rear, broke down and pulled up over 1f out
mid-division, hard ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
held up towards rear, nudged along over 3f out, headway on outside well over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, kept on
held up mid division, ridden over 2f out, soon switched left and headway, ran on to lead inside final furlong, ridden out
raced keenly in touch, hard ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out, soon strongly challenged, headed just over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
always behind, under pressure over 3f out, eased well over 1f out
Nonrunner
A decent renewal of this handicap in which it may be worth giving another chance to PROPONENT. Swop is sure to be popular and Australia Day shouldn't be underestimated. There has been only one winning favourite and one winner drawn in single figures in eight renewals which counts against the likes of Pinpoint and Steele Tango. In theory, there should be plenty of pace on here as Australia Day, Proponent, Tazeez, Kaateb and Luberon are all amongst those that have helped to force the pace in recent outings and, if they get the fractions wrong, then they could set the race up for the hold-up horses. That's just what happened to Proponent at Goodwood where he was the subject of a sustained gamble. Pinpoint and Watamu were two of those that finished in front of him there but he meets them on revised terms and can gain revenge providing that those near the pace get the fractions right. Australia Day has shown massive improvement since being allowed to bowl along from the front and could be a threat to all if left alone in the lead despite this step up in class and a significant rise in the weights. Steele Tango keeps going up in the weights for getting beaten but one of these races will surely come his way and things could pan out nicely for this colt who is usually held up from just off the pace but his chance has been seriously impaired by his draw. Ask The Butler is interesting but Cumani appears to have a stronger candidate in Swop who has made the running but was held up when narrowly failing to get up in a mile handicap at Goodwood. His sire is a speed influence but there's stamina on the dam's side and there's a chance that he will see out this trip. He's one of the least exposed in the field, holds an entry for the Cambridgeshire and neither Cumani runner can be overlooked with confidence. His price is more than likely to reflect his potential as well as his connections and there are doubts about the trip and the draw so there should be better value to be found elsewhere. Proponent has flattered to deceive more often than not in his career but is worth another chance with plenty in his favour.
Pinpoint (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Held up, headway 2f out, chasing leaders when hampered entering final furlong, stayed on to take 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Gulf Express (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcap (2) gd in Jul.
Watamu (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, chased winner entering final furlong, no impression, lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Gulf Express (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcap (2) gd in Jul.
Tazeez (USA) 8-1 (9-11) Made all, challenged from over 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gs beating Steele Tango (9-3) by a hd, 10 ran.
Re Barolo (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 2f out, driven to lead approaching final furlong, kept on, won at York 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun beating Mesbaah (9-0) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
King Charles 8-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace over 1f out, 6th of 15, 9l behind Mad Rush (9-7) at Haydock 1m 4f hcap (2) sft in Jul.
Lang Shining (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Always behind, last of 18, 19l behind Fifteen Love (8-12) at Goodwood 1m hcap (2) gf.
Proponent (IRE) 11-2fav (8-11) Chased leaders, led 3f out to over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 17, 7l behind Gulf Express (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcap (2) gd in Jul.
Kaateb (IRE) 11-10fav (9-6) Led early, soon tracking leaders, not clear run over 2f out, soon ridden, every chance 1f out, edged left under pressure and kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Humungous (9-7) at Ascot 1m 2f stk 0-95 (2) gf in Jul.
Benandonner (USA) 10-1 (9-3) Prominent, 5th before halfway, lost place and no extra from over 2f out, 12th of 18, 18l behind Celtic Dane (9-1) at Galway 1m prm hcp gs in Jul.
Swop (IRE) 4-1fav (9-13) Held up, headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, headed just inside final furlong, rallied, kept on gamely towards finish, 2nd of 20, hd behind Yamal (9-5) at Goodwood 1m hcap (3) gd in Jul.
Ask The Butler 15-8fav (9-9) Held up mid-division, headway when struck by rival's whip over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcap (3) gf in Jul beating Bandama (9-9) by 2l, 9 ran.
Love Galore (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway going well over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, in command final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul beating Savarain (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Luberon 8-1 (8-7) Led after 1f, headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 17, 23l behind Gulf Express (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcap (2) gd in Jul.
Australia Day (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Made all, ridden final furlong, stayed on well, won at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul beating Presvis (8-11) by 3l, 5 ran.
Nanton (USA) 4-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, switched left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well to lead towards finish, won at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd beating Granston (9-6) by 3l, 8 ran.
Capable Guest (IRE) 20-1 (8-3) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 12, 17l behind Perks (8-0) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) hvy.
Steele Tango (USA) 2-1fav (9-3) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on strongly under pressure final furlong, just held, 2nd of 10, hd behind Tazeez (9-11) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gs.
