in touch, ridden and lost place over 3f out, soon behind
mid-division, headway over 3f out, switched right over 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, stayed on well
mid-division, lost place 4f out, never in contention after
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced keenly, soon steadied towards rear, headway over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
took keen hold, led 1f, tracked leaders, led over 8f out until over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 4f out, challenged over 3f out, every chance 1f out, edged right, no extra
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace, not troubled leaders
tracked leaders, challenged over 3f out, led well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged right, headed inside final furlong, no extra
in touch, challenged over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led after 1f, headed 14f out, remained prominent, challenged over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out
soon pressing leader, led 14f out, headed over 8f out, led again over 3f out, headed well over 2f out, soon beaten
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, struggling over 3f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, never in contention
Nonrunner
A tremendous staying handicap brings the curtain down on the 2009 Ebor Festival and AAIM TO PROSPER can hopefully help us do so, while Saga De Tercey and Mudawin are among the dangers. The latter sprang a 100/1 surprise in the Ebor itself three seasons ago and after plummeting in the weights he came back to form when beating Hawk Mountain over course and distance last time. Now 2lbs worse off for one-and-a-half lengths it should be close between that pair, but Mudawin has never previously backed-up a success and so we will take him on. Saga De Tercey is the improver and has been well placed by Alan Swinbank to win three of his four starts under both codes. His win at Catterick last time suggested that this trip is within his capabilities and he is unexposed. However, he does have it to prove in this bigger field and step up in grade. Hada Men stays 1m 6f and acts on quick ground, and although beaten from this mark twice recently he is not one to dismiss out of hand now stepped up further in distance. One that will definitely stay is Swingkeel. John Dunlop's gelding perhaps found 2m 5f a shade too far at Goodwood, but he has won at this trip and he didn't appear to be beaten by this mark last time. Bergonzi succumbed to Saga De Tercey at Catterick and is now 2lbs worse off, so looks to have an arduous task, while Nemo Spirit would be a major player if there was a deluge. Valmari and Snoqualmie Boy are both doubtful stayers which leads us to Aaim To Prosper. Mick Channon's five-year-old has never raced on ground faster than good but his sire Val Royal loved it like a road, and so there is hope that he will act in these conditions. If so, then he certainly stays extremely well over this trip and remains open to further improvement. He can throw in the odd poor run, but he is generally consistent and we will take him to score.
Judgethemoment (USA) 40-1 (9-7) Held up in 5th, driven along 5f out, well behind final 4f, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Schiaparelli (9-7) at Goodwood 2m stks (1) gd in Jul.
Swingkeel (IRE) 11-2fav (9-5) Held up in rear, headway on rails over 3f out, stayed on to take 3rd over 1f out, nearest at finish, 3rd of 19, 6l behind Sweetheart (8-1) at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp 0-95 (2) gd in Jul.
Gee Dee Nen 6-1 (9-6) Held up, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 8l behind Aaim To Prosper (8-9) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Snoqualmie Boy 16-1 (9-9) In rear, ridden and headway from over 1f out, challenged winner inside final furlong, stayed on, always held, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Remember Ramon (9-6) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Jul.
Valmari (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden along 3f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home (hand timed), won at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun beating Nobelix (9-3) by hd, 5 ran.
Buddhist Monk 14-1 (9-2) Dwelt, always behind, last of 9, 18l behind Press The Button (9-5) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Aaim To Prosper (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gd beating Yes Mr President (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Hawk Mountain (UAE) 11-4fav (9-0) Always prominent, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra near finish, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Mudawin (8-6) at York 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Gordonsville 7-1 (9-7) Held up in last pair, driven along over 2f out, moderate headway and kept on for poor 3rd final stride, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Darley Sun (8-2) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jul.
Saga de Tercey (FR) 13-8fav (9-10) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, regained lead inside last, just held on, won at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating Bergonzi (9-3) by shd, 8 ran.
Inchnadamph 14-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden well over 2f out, hanging right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Mudawin (8-6) at York 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Step This Way (USA) 15-2 (10-0) Led, headed over 3f out, not much room when weakening just over 2f out, eased, 9th of 10, 30l behind Doggerbank (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 4f flls hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Bergonzi (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) With winner, ridden to lead entering final furlong, headed inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 8, shd behind Saga De Tercey (9-10) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Hada Men (USA) 15-8fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, challenging from 2f out, ridden to lead briefly approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Rotative (9-7) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Downing Street (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Held up in last pair, pushed along and badly outpaced over 4f out, kept on to take poor 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 10l behind Hawridge King (8-7) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fm in Jul.
Nemo Spirit (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) Led, headed over 3f out, hanging right when weakening over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 10l behind Mudawin (8-6) at York 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Mudawin (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Held up mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on under pressure to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at York 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul beating Hawk Mountain (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
