mid-division, never dangerous
led, headed after 2f, remained prominent, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon weakened
behind, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed and no extra
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
dwelt, always behind
held up mid-division, weakened final 3f, eased
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, never nearer
in touch, lost place well over 2f out
behind, outpaced over 4f out, headway over 2f out, led just over 1f out, kept on well
mid-division, headway under pressure over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on well
soon prominent, driven to lead after 2f, set very strong pace, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
pulled hard in mid-division, some headway over 1f out, no impression
In receipt of weight for age allowances SUNSHINE ALWAYS and Fesko seem to have the biggest claims on this handicap and we prefer the former with Ilie Nastase also in the reckoning. The ground is no problem for the selection who handles most surfaces and his run off this mark when finding just one to good offers plenty of encouragement. With his reprieve at the weights due to his young years he looks well in and should take advantage. Fesko is also a three-year-old so also has an allowance to take advantage of. His run last time in similar company in soft ground is off putting but as long as it doesn't rain too much he still has a chance. Ilie Nastase is five pounds better off here, thanks to his jockey's claim, than when going close last time out and he has conditions to suit again. Mohtashem should go better this time after a poor handicap debut but in a race you can make a case for most Sunshine Always looks the best treated.
Flawed Genius 16-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, not clearest of runs over 2f out, headway and squeezed through over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 17, 1 3/4l behind City Of The Kings (9-5) at York 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jul.
Ilie Nastase (FR) 5-1 (10-1) Led, ridden and edged right over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, rallied to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Keys of Cyprus (9-5) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jul.
Maze (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Held up, ridden 2f out, never near leaders, 8th of 13, 9l behind Dickie Le Davoir (8-8) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Jul.
Gala Casino Star (IRE) 5-2fav (9-13) Tracked leaders, out paced 3f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 2l behind Keys of Cyprus (9-5) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jul.
Boy Blue 12-1 (8-12) Led, driven over 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Horatio Carter (9-7) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Jun.
Spinning 6-1 (9-11) Dwelt and behind, outpaced over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression when not clear run over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Keys of Cyprus (9-5) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jul.
Mohtashem (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 9l behind Brief Encounter (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jul.
Grazeon Gold Blend 14-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, pushed along halfway, gradually weakened, 13th of 17, 10l behind Striking Spirit (9-11) at York 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Keys of Cyprus 13-2 (9-5) Held up, headway when not clear run 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead towards finish, won at Ripon 1m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jul beating Ilie Nastase (10-1) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Moheebb (IRE) 9-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong, took 3rd near finish, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Distant Memories (9-2) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jul.
Observatory Star (IRE) 13-2fav (9-6) Mid-division, driven over 2f out, not much room and switched left over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 15, 2 3/4l behind Stevie Gee (9-8) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Fesko 17-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, last of 8, 9l behind Keys of Cyprus (9-5) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jul.
Nevada Desert (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden final furlong, weakened well inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4l behind Celtic Change (9-8) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Angel Rock (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) With leaders, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 20, 4 1/2l behind Kavachi (9-2) at York 1m 1f hcp 105 (2) gd in Jun.
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.
Sunshine Always (IRE) 6-5fav (9-1) Held up in touch, headway and every chance over 1f out, soon ridden and no extra, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Bravo Echo (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jul.
