in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened and eased final furlong
settled mid-division, headway on bit over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, stayed on one pace
raced wide mid-division, never nearer
prominent, ridden and every chance final furlong, no extra close home
slowly into stride, behind, not clear run over 2f out, ridden and switched right over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on same apce
towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden and switched right over 1f out, ran on to lead final strides
prominent, led 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed and no extra final strides
always behind
led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, one pace
towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden 5f out, stayed on under pressure final 2f
in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, headway halfway, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, eased and virtually pulled up 2f out
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
A typically trappy handicap for punters to puzzle over and a low draw will be essential over the mile-and-a-half trip. Solo Flight is one such horse with conditions in his favour and after a long struggle with the handicapper, he has been dropped six pounds since his last run to a much more realistic mark. His win to run ratio is disappointing but there is little doubt that the grey is a tough customer and if he gets luck in running - he has to go close. Robandela is conversely a horse that races up with the pace and should appreciate the draw of five. He has not been without his setbacks in the past but if today is a going day, he cannot be discounted. Researched comes here after being a beaten favourite in the Chester Vase. His form up until then was sound (he beat Ebor fancy Charley Bates in April) and strictly speaking, he is very well in off today's mark. Knavesmire Omen is a horse that has been in great form of late and looks to be thriving on frequent racecourse visits. Unfortunately he has been done no favours with the draw and is opposed on this occasion. Afadan has the services of Frankie Dettori and the pair won well at Newmarket recently. He is though a slow starter and it is difficult to come from behind on the Knavesmire. Vicious Prince is the apple of trainer Richard Whitaker's eye but he is discounted on this surface. Of the others, Indian Solitaire looks a lively outsider. Formerly with Amanda Perrett, he has joined Richard Fahey's stable and has to be given a chance on his third to Muraheb earlier in the year. Tasneef also ran well for his new stable on debut but he has yet to experience the rough and tumble of a competitive handicap like this. In conclusion, Teamtalk selects Solo Flight as the win selection and Indian Solitaire as the each-way bets for the race.
