behind centre, outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous
behind centre, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no impression
behind far side, ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased leaders far side, driven over 3f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong
dwelt, held up far side, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never on terms
led far side group, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
led centre, edged left and led overall over 1f out, ridden and held on well final furlong
held up centre, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leader far side, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on final furlong
mid-division centre, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
chased leaders centre, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no impression
chased leaders far side, ridden and weakened over 1f out
chased leaders centre, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased winner centre, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
behind centre, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, never nearer
tracked leaders centre, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong
always behind centre
This is a really competitive handicap and from a shortlist of Elhamri, Machinist, River Falcon and Everymanforhimself we will put forward Elhamri as the pick. The selection won well at Goodwood last time when he looked like he was getting back to somewhere near his best. He has strong claims here with both trip and ground to suit. Machinist wasn't disgraced here last time but that was over 6f and this 5f may be a little on the sharp side for him. River Falcon is a course and distance winner and he usually goes well here. That was certainly the case when he chased home Tournedos at this track earlier in the month, although he is at his best with cut in the ground. Everymanforhimself looked in need of the run at Newmarket last time so he should strip fitter today, while Richard Fahey's Green Park is better than he showed last time. Elhamri is put forward as the tentative pick.
Northern Fling 7-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, challenged 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3l behind Fyodor (8-11) at Haydock 5f hcap (2) gf.
Indian Trail 5-1 (9-9) Held up in touch, headway halfway, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, last of 8, 4 1/2l behind Fyodor (8-11) at Haydock 5f hcap (2) gf.
Matsunosuke 66-1 (9-4) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 12, 17l behind Fleeting Spirit (8-11) at Haydock 5f Yorks Oaks (1) gf.
Machinist (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, chased along halfway, headway on outer over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 15, 5l behind Tombi (8-13) at York 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Fyodor (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) In touch, not much room approaching final furlong, squeezed through inside final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Haydock 5f hcap (2) gf beating Intrepid Jack (9-7) by a ns, 8 ran.
Bertoliver 9-2fav (9-1) Close up, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed last 75 yards, kept on, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind Tournedos (9-3) at York 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Masta Plasta (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Manzila (9-3) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
River Falcon 15-2 (9-1) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Tournedos (9-3) at York 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Siren's Gift 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden entering final furlong, no impression, 4th of 12, 2l behind Bonus (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Oct.
Ishetoo 3-1 (8-11) Stumbled start, led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Manzila (9-3) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Elhamri 5-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden 2f out, challenged over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at Goodwood 5f hcap (2) gf beating Safari Mischief (8-3) by a nk, 7 ran.
Special Day 11-2 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 1l behind Tournedos (9-3) at York 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Green Park (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, effort halfway, weakened entering final furlong, last of 11, 3 1/2l behind Tournedos (9-3) at York 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Tabaret 16-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, effort when not much room 2f out, weakened and eased, 11th of 12, 7l behind Barney McGrew (9-4) at Newcastle 6f hcap (3) gf.
Everymanforhimself (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) In touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Ajigolo (8-4) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gd.
How's She Cuttin' (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, held up behind, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Chief Editor (9-3) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Apr.
Fantasy Explorer 4-1 (9-3) Behind stands' side, ridden 2f out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Mondovi (9-0) at Haydock 5f hcap (3) gf.
Blazing Heights 9-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 10th of 13, 10l behind Blue Tomato (9-2) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Mar.
Bond City (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden inside final furlong, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 4l behind Fyodor (8-11) at Haydock 5f hcap (2) gf.
Rebel Duke (IRE) 14-1 (8-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 5l behind Bertoliver (8-8) at Chester 5f hcap (2) gd.
