tracked leaders, challenging from 2 f out, strong challenge and upside inside final furlong, held near finish
made all, ridden and wandered at path inside final furlong, held on well under pressure near finsih
chased leaders, pushed along 3 f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, driven along and beaten over 2 f out
held up in touch, outpaced 3 f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, but never any chance with front pair
chased winner, driven along 2 f out, soon lost 2nd, weakened approaching final furlong
held up well in rear, always behind
held up in 6th, ridden on outside and no response over 2f out
Al Samha impressed on debut after a slow start and whilst he will have needed to improve to defy a mark of 86 on his handicap debut, he gets the nod ahead of Hurricane Hymnbook and Staying On. The selection was well-fancied when making a winning debut at Wolverhampton back in March. He cost a pretty penny ($350,000), and whilst that doesn't assure anything, connections will be disappointed if his progress does not continue with a win here, although presumably he wouldn't want too much rain. If he cannot handle the shorter trip today, then it may pay to side with staying on who seemed to find ten furlongs too much to handle on his reappearance, and likely to have improved plenty for that run, he can run a bigger race now over a more appropriate trip. Hurricane Hymnbook must be a major player, as he was only beaten two lengths by Racingpost Trophy winner Ibn Khaldun last season. This step up to a mile shouldn't pose any real problems on breeding, and after a slow-ish start to the season Brian Meehan's horses are now in better nick. Redesingation is highly thought-of, and he suffered no luck when taking a tumble on his final run last season. Bencoolen could be a fly in the ointment as he has ability, however Al Samha can continue his unbeaten record.
Hurricane Hymnbook (USA) 10-1 (9-1) Held up behind, headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge and every chance over 1f out, soon outpaced by winner, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Ibn Khaldun (9-4) at Ascot 7f 2yo hcp (3) gs in Sept.
Staying On (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, tracked leader, hind bandages came loose entering straight, lost 2nd 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 7, 14l behind Unnefer (8-13) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo stk (3) gs in Apr.
Al Samha (USA) 11-4fav (8-8) Made virtually all, led narrowly, ridden and asserted over 1f out, edged right final furlong, ran on strongly, ridden out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Mar beating Two Left Feet (8-8) by 2l, 12 ran.
Bencoolen (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division until dropped rear 5f out, stayed on again from over 1f out, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Silver Rime (9-2) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Ellemujie 25-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway when edged left over 2f out, stayed on until weakened final furlong, 8th of 16, 13l behind Perks (8-6) at Doncaster 1m 3yo hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Artsu 22-1 (8-12) Held up, saddle slipped, rapid progress over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, not recover, last of 12, well behind Silver Rime (9-2) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Ike Quebec (FR) 8-1 (8-9) Close up, ridden 2f out, soon one pace, 7th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Loose Caboose (8-8) at Great Leighs 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Kinnego Bay (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) With leaders, led over 3f out to 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Corrybrough (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Redesignation (IRE) 10-11fav (9-5) fell in race won by Graceful Descent (8-7) at Ayr 1m nov stk (4) gs in Sept, 8 ran.
