in rear, switched to outside 3f out, headway 2f out, ridden in 3rd 1f out, stayed on one pace
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
towards rear, effort and headway to chase front rank over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
towards rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden and led well over 1f out, pushed out and stretched clear final 110 yards, comfortably
close up, led over 2f out, soon ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened quickly
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 1f out, kept on but outpaced by winner inside last
led narrowly, headed over 2f out, soon beaten and weakened well over 1f out
This is probably the most competitive handicap on today’s card with three recent winners entered. Foreseeable Future is up 5lb for winning at Doncaster, when subsequent Wetherby scorer Tamaska was fourth, but is still 2lb out of the handicap. Epic Express is also up 5lb for a win over track and trip and Verreaux Eagle has been knocking on the door in better company. TASHKEER was only beaten a head dropping to this trip at Ayr so gets a narrow vote, though Must Be Royale should handle a switch to Turf and is worth a market check.
Verreaux Eagle (IRE) 85-40fav (9-6) Tracked leaders, not clear run from 2f out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Dutch Decoy (9-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp (4) gf in May.
Valentinka 6-4fav (9-1) Led, clear when hung left over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, weakened quickly, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Sayifyouwill (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp fll (4) pol in Apr.
Taskheer (IRE) 5-4fav (9-7) Keen tracked leaders, ridden to join winner over 1f out, every chance when rider lost iron inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 5, hd behind Merricourt (9-1) at Ayr 7f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Tamaska 3-1fav (9-7) Made all, pushed along 2f out, ridden out, won at Wetherby 7f hcp (5) gf in May beating Cragside (8-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Epic Express 5-1 (9-7) Made all under stand side rail, pushed along over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Yarmouth 7f hcp (6) gf in Apr beating Oud Metha Bridge (9-2) by 1l, 9 ran.
Must Be Royale 10-3 (9-2) Tracked leaders, raced freely, niggled along under 3f out, not clear run and switched left 2f out, kept on same pace and held final furlong, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Blackjack (9-2) at Newcastle 6f stks (5) pol in Nov.
Foreseeable Future (FR) 10-1 (8-2) Made all, ridden 2f out, few lengths clear inside final furlong, ran on well, always holding on, won at Doncaster 7f hcp (5) gf in Apr beating Rum Runner (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.