steadied start, led after 1f, shaken up 3f out, hung badly left 2f out, ended on far rail, stayed on well, driven out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression and outpaced final 2f
started slowly, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
close up, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out
led 1f, tracked winner afterwards, pressed winner over 2f out, every chance, no extra, kept on well for 2nd
towards rear, ridden 3f out, no progress, never troubled leaders
in touch, ridden over 3f out, lost place over 2f out, eased final furlong
The short list for this handicap contains Gulf Express, Woodcote Place and Humungous, with the selection being Gulf Express. Although he has been raised two pounds for getting beaten at Chester by Annemasse last time, Gulf Express is lightly raced and ought to have further improvement to come. He could provide the answer to this handicap. Cool Box is two pounds better off with him for two-and-a-half lengths based on the Chester form. Humungous returned to form with a return to Turf at Sandown last time although he may not quite have the toe of some of these over today's trip, while Nick Littmoden keeps getting improvement from Wavertree Warrior, although a little more is going to be needed if he is to score. Woodcote Place was only just beaten over course and distance last time and could well still prove competitive from his current rating, while Moonlight Man was useful back in 2005 and, even though he showed promise on his return from an absence last time, we could not suggest him for win purposes, although the betting might tell you something different. Acheekyone has paid the price for some good efforts in valuable handicaps but, again, a good run cannot be ruled out, and Blacktoft maybe has to find a little improvement if he is to win. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Gulf Express.
Humungous (IRE) 7-2fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead briefly inside final 2f, soon driven and one pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Capable Guest (8-7) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
Wavertree Warrior (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway and stayed on one pace final 2f, 5th of 14, 5l behind Unshakable (8-8) at Epsom 1m 1f hcap (2) gs.
Woodcote Place 25-1 (9-1) Steadied start, held up, some headway over 2f out, never on terms, 10th of 13, 7l behind Trafalgar Square (8-9) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in May.
Moonlight Man 25-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, no impression and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 6l behind Killena Boy (8-8) at Sandown 1m hcap (3) gs in May.
Acheekyone (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (8-12) Raced stands' side, held up, ridden and weakened 2f out, 12th of 13, 26l behind Plum Pudding (8-11) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in May.
Blacktoft (USA) 10-1 (8-12) Took keen hold in touch, driven over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 5l behind Fortunate Isle (9-2) at Beverley 1m 2f hcap (4) gd in May.
Gulf Express (USA) 11-2 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up, headway on outer over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, closing towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Annemasse (9-3) at Chester 1m 3yo hcp (2) gd in May.
Cool Box (USA) 9-2 (8-12) Behind, outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 7, shd behind El Bosque (8-13) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in May.
