held up behind, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong
in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on strongly
chased leaders, headway over 3f out, switched left over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, soon headed, no extra
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in touch and keen, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
soon led, headed after 2f, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon switched left, kept on inside final furlong
led after 2f, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
led early, chased leaders, ridden and weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
None of the last seven winners of this ultra-competitive handicap have started shorter than 8/1 so Shraaoh may not offer much in the way of value at the forecast odds, even though he was making ground hand-over-fist over 1m4f at Goodwood last time. JAAMEH, Emperor Napoleon and Master Blueyes were all close up having had varying hard-luck stories. Mark Johnston's colt came from further back than any of the others so looks sure to be suited by this longer trip and galloping track. Stablemate Regal Monarch has been in brilliant form but has a penalty for his latest victory at Pontefract. Ballydoyle has two runners and Kellstorm and Unicorn are unexposed, though don't look particularly well treated. Haydock winner Injam would need the heavens to open and Forth Bridge's chance would also improve with rain, though he should appreciate the longer distance.
Unicorn (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Settled behind leaders, 5th halfway, ridden 2 1/2f out, no impression 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Port Douglas (9-3) at Curragh 1m Grp 2 stks (1) Good - Yielding in Sep.
Wall of Fire (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, pushed along early towards rear, headway switching left when not clear run over 1f out, badly hampered and snatched up inside final furlong, eased, 10th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Dal Harraild (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Shraaoh (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Held up, towards rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and little response over 2f out until picked up over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, went 2nd final strides and closed, just failed, 2nd of 12, shd behind Dal Harraild (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Kellstorm (IRE) Evensfav (9-4) Chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along entering straight, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on without threatening winner to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Ebediyin (9-7) at Naas 1m 4f Yielding - Soft in May.
Regal Monarch 7-4fav (9-0) Tracked leader, driven to challenge over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, stayed on well, won at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Mainstream (9-3) by 1l, 7 ran.
Forth Bridge 7-4 (8-13) Led, driven when challenged over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon rallied, stayed on strongly to lead again inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Haydock 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun beating Plenary (8-13) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Emperor Napoleon 16-1 (8-9) Held up, in mid-division, smooth headway on outside tracking leaders over 3f out, every chance 2f out, ridden and still challenging over 1f out, weakened towards finish, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Dal Harraild (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Girling (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Tracked leading pair, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 5 1/2l behind Purple Magic (8-9) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp fll (3) gf in Jul.
Injam (IRE) 5-4fav (9-1) Pressed leader, led after 4f and set sound pace, reminder over 4f out, ridden 2f out, soon asserted, stayed on strongly, eased towards finish, won at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (3) sft in Jun beating Project Bluebook (9-0) by 6l, 3 ran.
Master Blueyes (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Held up, towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden chasing leaders hanging right over 1f out, switched left and keeping on same pace when hampered and snatched up 100 yards out, 6th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Dal Harraild (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Jaameh (IRE) 18-1 (8-3) Well in rear, reminders halfway, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, went never nearer 4th towards finish, 4th of 12, 1/2l behind Dal Harraild (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Icefall (IRE) 6-5fav (9-12) Tracked leader, driven to challenge over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Theos Lolly (9-7) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Theos Lolly (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Ripon 1m 4f hcp (5) gd in Aug beating Icefall (9-12) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
