in rear, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden and headway well over 2f out, not much room over 1f out and soon switched right, ran on well towards finish
held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened final 2f
led early, chased leaders, led over 1f out, soon headed one pace
soon chasing leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace
in touch, weakened final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, driven out
soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, edged right and kept on same pace
Shmookh is taken to win this valuable handicap at the expense of Smart Instinct and Even And Odds. The selection managed to win his maiden at the fourth attempt at Warwick last time out. That was his seasonal reappearance when getting the better of Ideally in convincing fashion. He ran well on two of his two year old starts and looks the type to improve with time. He runs off a handy mark and could be well in so is worth noting in the betting market. Smart Instinct won his first two races as a two-year-old last season and was not disgraced when third to Not For Me over five furlongs at York on his final outing. This step up in trip will suit so he is another to note. Even And Odds, who was outclassed in the Guineas last time out, is now in handicap company. She holds a real chance as long as her confidence has not been affected. But for the winner we return to Shmookh who looks unexposed and looks to have been well placed today.
Smart Instinct (USA) 2-1fav (9-0) Went left start, soon outpaced, ridden halfway, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Not For Me (9-0) at York 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gs in Aug.
Heroes 16-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 8l behind Dijeerr (8-12) at Newbury 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) hvy in Oct.
Ponty Rossa (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Chased leader, ridden and effort well over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Northern Fling (8-9) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Tredegar 14-1 (8-12) Raced wide early, disputed lead after 2f, reduced lead and ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 11, 6l behind Desert Dew (9-4) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Billy Dane (IRE) 3-1 (9-6) Raced keenly, tracked leaders on inside, staying on well when carried left and hampered over 1f out, not recover, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Ghost Dancer (8-4) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp (2) pol in Oct.
Mystery Ocean 7-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Precocious Star (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3yo lst fll (1) pol in Mar.
Smokey Oakey (IRE) 15-2 (8-3) Mid-division, ridden and no impression final 2f, 8th of 13, 6l behind Market Day (9-5) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp (2) pol in Oct.
Osteopathic Remedy (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 14, 11l behind Northern Fling (8-9) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Shmookh (USA) Evensfav (9-3) Keen, tracking leaders, led over 2f out, edged left, pushed out, won at Warwick 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Apr beating Ideally (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Musca (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) Soon led, ran on well final furlong, won at Catterick 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) sft in Oct beating Princess Palatine (8-12) by 6l, 13 ran.
Gazboolou 14-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, effort 2f out, no extra 1f out, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Eau Good (8-11) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Evens And Odds (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Raced stand's side, chased leaders over 5f, 23rd of 24, 17l behind Cockney Rebel (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf.
