chased leaders, challenged on bit 2f out, led over 1f out, quickened clear, eased near finish
outpaced in rear, moderate late headway
chased leaders, drvien and weakened over 2 f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
with leader, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, went 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner
chased leaders, driven and stayed on same pace final 2f
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Marozi needs to keep on improving in order to take this, his handicap debut, and so we will instead side with Ed Dunlop's Dream Scheme ahead of Blue Charm and Royal Rock. The selection comes from a stable who's horses tend to improve with very run and the Machiavellian filly should have a) come on for her recent outing at HQ, and b) learnt from the experience of that first handicap outing. She has run well on ground with some give in in the past and with this drop in trip expected to suit, she can land this contest. Royal Rock is very consistent and must be high on the shortlist, along with Nobilissima who is effective on soft ground and therefore looks a real player should there be further rain. Course and distance winner Oi Vay Joe warrants a check, along with Blue Charm and Crystal Gazer although both need to prove themselves on the turf. Impromptu could be on a decent mark now back in handicaps, however Dream Scheme gets the vote.
Benllech 5-2 (9-0) Held up, led well over 1f out, driven clear final furlong, eased near finish, won at W'hampton 7f nov stk (5) pol in Dec beating Love In May (9-5) by 7l, 3 ran.
Royal Rock 5-4fav (9-4) Mid-division, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed out, won at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Jun beating Big Noise (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Dream Scheme 5-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 6l behind Tarteel (9-3) at Newmarket 1m fll hcp (4) gs in Jun.
King's Bastion (IRE) 11-4 (9-4) Tracked leader, outpaced and switched right over 1f out, rallied and ran on near finish, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Bee Eater (9-3) at Warwick 6f 3yo hcp (4) sft.
Marozi (USA) 1-2fav (9-3) Pulled hard, joined leader after 2f, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, shaken up and ran on, won at Lingfield 6f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol beating Sweetsformysweet (8-12) by 2l, 10 ran.
Nobilissima (IRE) 9-1 (8-1) Led, headed over 4f, led again over 1f out, headed soon after, all out to lead again close home, won at Warwick 6f hcp 0-95 (3) sft beating Pawan (8-6) by a shd, 8 ran.
Crystal Gazer (FR) 11-1 (9-2) Dwelt, soon mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 14, 10l behind Folly Lodge (8-12) at Newbury 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (4) gs in May.
Impromptu 11-4 (9-3) Made virtually all, led narrowly, shaken up over 1f out, quickened clear, ran on, pushed out, readily, won at Windsor 6f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gs in Jun beating Batchworth Fleur (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Pango's Legacy 11-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon no impression, 9th of 16, 8l behind Sweet Gale (9-6) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Oi Vay Joe (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Raced far side, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 12, 9l behind Slate (9-7) at Folkestone 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Golden Desert (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Mid-division, short of room when hampered 2f out, headway 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind King's Apostle (9-1) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Blue Charm 5-1 (9-4) Keen, prominent, ridden 2f out, effort and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Crystal Gazer (9-2) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Apr.
