held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, headway entering final furlong, kept on
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon edged left, kept on to lead towards finish
led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
chased leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened last 100 yards
always towards rear
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
chased leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, regained lead inside final furlong, kept on and headed towards finish
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, faded entering final furlong
dwelt, towards rear, headway over 2f out, edged left and weakened inside final furlong
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on to take 3rd place near finish
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, weakened over 2f out
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, lost 3rd place towards finish
held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
held up in touch and keen, ridden over 1f out and soon hampered, kept on same pace
Nonrunner
The classy Purple Moon is the only favourite to have won recently and the winners have included three 25/1 chances and a 100/1 shock. Motivado has been all the rage for this after his demolition of a strong field at Goodwood. A penalty for that just gets him into the bottom of the handicap and it looks a case of what can beat him off this mark. QAHRIMAN could be the answer to that question as he's a similarly progressive type who has the advantage of a C&D victory gained in June and put away for this by his astute handler. He looks like a stayer going places and this looks the next step to better things. Connections of the France-trained Hammerfest will be delighted with the recent rain as he loves soft ground. He came to Ascot for the 1m4f Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap and did very well to chase home the progressive Camborne and this longer trip is in his favour. The winner was having only his sixth race that day and defied a 13lb rise for an earlier success at Doncaster. He's up another 9lb here but looks Pattern race class and should go well. The Irish have a decent record in recent years and the in-form Dermot Weld looks to have trained the Group 3 winner Sense Of Purpose for the race and he's definitely on the short-list. November handicap runner-up Willing Foe tackles this trip for the first time but should be suited and can go well.
Steps To Freedom (IRE) 11-1 (9-9) In rear early and took keen hold, soon chasing leaders, 2nd 3f out, soon ridden, weakened straight, 7th of 8, 11l behind Galileo's Choice (9-9) at Leopardstown 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gs.
Camborne 11-2fav (9-4) Patiently ridden in rear, switched left and headway when not clear run over 2f out, switched outside and ridden over 1f out, edged right and led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Royal Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gd in Jun beating Hammerfest (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 18 ran.
Bob Le Beau (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Led, challenged 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon no extra, last of 4, 24l behind Famous Name (9-10) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 2 (1).
Willing Foe (USA) 7-2fav (9-11) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Fattsota (9-1) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gd in Jul.
Crackentorp 5-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, challenged 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 23l behind Mount Athos (10-0) at York 1m 6f listed hcp 0-110 (1) gd in Jul.
Alkimos (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Held up behind, headway 3f out, not clear run and switched right over 2f out, ridden and effort towards stands side over 1f out, kept on, never reached leaders, 7th of 18, 8l behind King's Warrior (8-9) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Area Fifty One 9-2 (8-10) Tracked leaders, driven when stumbled over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure, no impression, 5th of 18, 5l behind King's Warrior (8-9) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Icon Dream (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, chased leaders over 7f out, chased winner over 4f out until no extra towards finish, 3rd of 16, 1l behind Ile De Re (9-3) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jun.
Hammerfest (9-5) 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Tenenbaum (8-7) at Deauville(FR) 1m 4f stk sft.
Dreamspeed (IRE) 40-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, under pressure when switched right to challenge approaching final furlong, one pace, 4th of 15, 2 3/4l behind Number Theory (8-6) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (4yo+) (2) sft in Jul.
Royal Diamond (IRE) 9-2fav (9-12) Tracked leader in 2nd, led over 3f out, ridden and headed under 2f out, dropped to 3rd 1f out and no impression under pressure, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Alhellal (8-8) at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp sft in Jun.
Hurricane Higgins (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Took keen hold, close 7th, headway to 3rd 3f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on gamely close home, won at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp 0-95 (2) gd beating Defence Of Duress (8-7) by hd, 20 ran.
Blue Bajan (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Held up behind, headway 3f out, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression, 4th of 12, 6l behind Mount Athos (10-0) at York 1m 6f listed hcp 0-110 (1) gd in Jul.
Number Theory 8-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, hard ridden, held on well, won at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (4yo+) (2) sft in Jul beating Quiz Mistress (8-4) by nk, 15 ran.
Tominator 11-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 10, 10l behind Lordofthehouse (8-7) at Haydock 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Rock A Doodle Doo (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up behind, driven over 2f out, never able to challenge, 8th of 10, 10l behind Viking Storm (9-8) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Motivado 11-2fav (9-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway soon after, went 2nd going well 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp 105 (2) gd beating A Boy Named Suzi (9-4) by 5l, 14 ran.
Harrison's Cave 9-2 (9-12) Towards rear for most, never a factor, 9th of 13, 37l behind Ursa Major (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f hcp sft in Jun.
Qahriman 7-2 (9-0) Held up towards rear, good headway over 3f out, chasing leaders when not much room briefly over 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, led inside final furlong, ridden and stayed on strongly, won at York 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Jun beating Bridle Belle (8-8) by 2l, 12 ran.
Sense Of Purpose (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Waited with, closer in 5th approaching straight, switched to challenge from 2f out, 2nd 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace closing stages, 4th of 10, 1/2l behind Aklan (8-10) at Roscommon 1m 4f Listed stks (1) sft in Jul.
Harlestone Times (IRE) 12-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, steady headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on to 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 9l behind Motivado (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp 105 (2) gd.
