last to break, held up towards rear, driven over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, stayed on final 100 yards, never in contention
held up in touch, took keen hold, closed over 3f out, ridden and edged right 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden and headway 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, held close home
took keen hold in close 3rd, driven over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon edged right, headed inside final furlong, held close home
steadied start, held up, headway when not clear run over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not able to get on terms
led 1f, led again 9f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final 100 yards
tracked leader, led after 1f, headed 9f out, stayed close up, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
Shwaiman performed with plenty of credit on his last visit to York but the handicapper's decision to raise him 7lb in the weights appears harsh and we reluctantly look elsewhere. A progressive sort has traditionally won this race and AL SAHAM fits the bill. Saeed Bin Suroor's five-year-old won his first two starts of the season in determined fashion, and if the rain stays away, he has to have every chance of continuing on an upward curve. Waila was a little disappointing at Pontefract on her latest start but there was a cogent excuse as the contest was staged at a muddling pace. Great Hall has a first run for John Quinn having left Brian Meehan and the market is accordingly watched. Min Alemarat gets plenty of weight as a three-year-old, and the value of his recent victory at Haydock was given a boost when the second obliged at Catterick earlier in the week.
Shwaiman (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Took keen hold and held up towards rear, never in contention, 9th of 13, 13l behind Leading Light (9-0) at Royal Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Al Saham 3-1fav (9-7) Took keen hold tracking leaders, went 2nd 7f out, sustained challenge final furlong, led final strides, won at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun beating Nicholascopernicus (8-12) by hd, 10 ran.
Great Hall 25-1 (8-6) 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Excellent Result (8-6) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 6f hcp gd in Feb.
Waila 11-8fav (8-10) Held up in touch, in rear, headway on outer entering final furlong, soon pressed winner, ran on, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Freedom's Light (8-10) at Pontefract 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gd in Jun.
Moment In Time (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, late headway over 1f out, never near leaders, 6th of 9, 7l behind Pomology (9-5) at Haydock 1m 4f Grp 2 flls (1) gs.
Statutory (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 9th of 13, 32l behind Pique Sous (9-2) at Royal Ascot 2m 6f stks (2) gf in Jun.
Continuum 25-1 (9-1) Held up in last pair, good headway on wide outside 5f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden and one pace 2f out, staying on when edged right over 1f out, plugged on same pace inside final furlong, 9th of 18, 7l behind Arab Spring (9-10) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jun.
Debdebdeb Evensfav (9-7) Tracked winner, effort 3f out, ridden inside final 2f, kept on under pressure when lost place inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Lion Beacon (8-13) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun.
Nearly Caught (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Held up mid-division, driven 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Noble Silk (8-13) at Haydock 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Body Language (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Tracked leading pair, dropped to rear over 6f out, ridden and beaten final 2f, last of 4, 5l behind Havana Beat (9-0) at Sandown 2m Listed stks (1) gf.
Min Alemarat (IRE) 2-5fav (8-11) Tracked leader 2f, tracked leaders, pushed along 8f out, came centre and headway to lead over 2f out, clear approaching final furlong, eased inside final furlong, won at Haydock 1m 4f mdn stks (5) sft in May beating Rocket Ship (8-11) by 7l, 7 ran.
