tracked leaders, headway and every chance 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, driven over 4f out, soon lost place, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, behind until stayed on final 2f, never nearer
mid-division, effort over 2f out, ridden and weakened 1f out
mid-division, headway 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
towards rear, driven over 3f out, kept on under pressure final 2f, never troubled leaders
mid-division on inside, outpaced over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, no impression
with leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
led, headed over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on under pressure to lead inside final furlong, ridden and held on towards finish
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders
with leaders, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
always towards rear
held up, headway when not clear run over 2f out to over 1f out, ridden and ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
A chance is taken on KAVACHI in another bewildering York handicap where 'a shortlist' of dangers is barely the appropriate terminology. Acrostic, Checklow and Albaqaa are forwarded in the hope that we can cover a few more of the bases. Albaqaa flourished under the guidance of Richard Fahey last season and shot up the ratings as a result. He has struggled with the handicapper of late, though, and now looks weighted to the hilt. Even so, he can be relied upon to try his heart out, so shouldn't be underestimated. Checklow ran a blinder here on his penultimate start and, if he posts a similar effort, he'll be hard to keep out of the frame. He is quite closely matched with Flipando judging by their encounter at Doncaster 19 days ago but can be fancied to confirm his superiority on these terms. Acrostic is a typically improving individual sent up form Newmarket by the irrepressible Luca Cumani. Whatever the Italian does in his training regime brings the best out of his horses when they race at the Knavesmire; so this fellow is respected accordingly. However, that fact is also likely to be reflected in the betting market and he isn't one to follow overboard at cramped odds in such a competitive handicap. Therefore, it can also pay to factor in a small investment with Kavachi, who is thriving on being kept busy and his willing attitude combined with Ryan Moore's determination in the saddle may be enough to produce a winning formula today.
Moon Sister (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, last of 4, 10l behind Heaven Sent (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f fll stks G3 (1) gf in May.
Dubai's Touch 5-1 (9-1) Chased winner over 6f out, until over 2f out, ridden and soon weakened, 4th of 6, 13l behind Khateeb (9-1) at Nottingham 1m cond Stakes (2) gf.
Flipando (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Keen behind leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 15, 9l behind Kingdom Of Fife (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf in May.
Checklow (USA) 11-1 (9-3) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 15, 8l behind Kingdom Of Fife (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf in May.
Acrostic 11-2 (9-7) Held up in touch, headway under pressure over 2f out, not reached leaders final furlong, 4th of 10, 2l behind Benandonner (9-7) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Medici Pearl 28-1 (8-7) Towards rear, headway well over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 15, 6l behind Yamal (9-1) at York 1m (1) gd in May.
Fanjura (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Mid-division, not clear run well over 1f out, hung left and stayed on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 7th of 12, 5l behind Cheshire Prince (8-4) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May.
Albaqaa 9-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Moonquake (9-4) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May.
Opus Maximus (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Always towards rear on stands side, 26th of 27, 46l behind Swift Gift (8-5) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gf in May.
Mastership (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Towards rear, effort 2f out, some progress, never on terms, 4th of 7, 5l behind Abbondanza (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-95 (2) pol in May.
Granston (IRE) 9-2 (8-6) In touch, ridden over 2f out, had very chance over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 9l behind Jack Dawkins (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in May.
The Fifth Member (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, soon tracked leader to over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 13, 17l behind Dunn'o (9-1) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in May.
Foolin Myself 6-1 (9-0) In touch, 6th straight, lost action 3f out, soon eased, pulled up and dismounted near finish, in a race won by Seeking The Buck (9-1) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp (2) gd, 10 ran.
Kavachi (IRE) 11-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, headway under pressure on inside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd last strides, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Dunn'o (9-1) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in May.
Capable Guest (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Slowly away, soon pushed along and just in touch, 8th straight, weakened 3f out, eased when no chance final 2f, last of 9, 22l behind Tartan Gigha (8-7) at Epsom Downs 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Angel Rock (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leading pair, led well over 1f out, kept on final furlong, held on gamely, won at Haydock 1m hcp 0-90 (3) sft in May beating Rattan (9-1) by hd, 10 ran.
Red Jade 9-2 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden in 4th before straight, soon 5th, 7th and no extra from over 1f out, 7th of 11, 12l behind Coolcullen Times (8-12) at Curragh 1m 2f hcp 0-90 hvy in May.
Best Prospect (IRE) 66-1 (8-10) Held up, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 11l behind Moonquake (9-4) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May.
Last Three Minutes (IRE) 5-2 (9-4) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway on outer over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led final strides, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in May beating Elisiario (8-11) by nk, 9 ran.
Toto Skyllachy 16-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, hard driven and headed near line, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Tanto Faz (8-9) at Ripon 1m 4yo hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.