held up in touch, headway over 1f out, never on terms
prominent, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led until over 1f out, soon lost place
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never on terms
slowly into stride, held up in rear, under pressure halfway, never dangerous
behind, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway when not clear run over 1f out, never a threat
behind, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, effort when short of room over 1f out, soon one pace
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
pulled hard, soon prominent, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
A rare handicap-only Ascot meeting concludes with a trappy apprentice contest. The O'Meara team is dually represented with the solid Star Shield and topweight MARKAZI and it's the latter who's taken to oblige despite his hefty burden. The Dark Angel gelding has been bang there on his last four starts in competitive handicap company and his latest run when a good second to Irv at York conceding nearly two stone was an excellent effort. He can go one better. Mountain Rescue and Mister Music both arrive in recent winning form and should deliver positive accounts but northern raider Breanski looks the danger after a pleasing York effort last time with Finley Marsh an interesting booking.
Markazi (FR) 9-2fav (9-11) In touch, chased leaders over 2f out, switched left to challenge inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, not pace of winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Irv (8-0) at York 1m hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Jackpot Royale 5-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind De Vegas Kid (9-3) at Goodwood 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Mountain Rescue (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Raced centre, prominent, led after 1f, overall leader over 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at Newmarket 1m hcp (5) gs in Jun beating Marshal Dan (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Top Mission 8-1 (9-2) Held up, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 12 1/2l behind That Is The Spirit (8-5) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (3) pol in Jun.
Mister Music 9-4fav (9-6) Sloe into stride in rear, plenty to do 2f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 7f stks (6) pol in Jul beating Sarasota (8-11) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Breanski 20-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway when short of room over 2f out, kept on under pressure, never a threat, 5th of 19, 3 1/4l behind Shawaamekh (9-1) at York 7f hcp (4) sft in Jun.
Poetic Force (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) In rear, soon outpaced, ran on final 75 yards, never on terms, 6th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Count Otto (9-8) at Epsom 6f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Star Shield 5-2 (10-2) In touch, headway to join leader over 1f out, soon led, ridden and edged left inside final furlong and right, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Coastline (9-2) at Yarmouth 1m hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Masked Identity 14-1 (9-5) Behind, struggling 4f out, never involved, last of 17, 21 1/2l behind Poet's Dawn (9-0) at York 1m 1f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Papa Stour (USA) 5-1 (8-2) Behind, pushed along over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on, never on terms, 6th of 11, 5l behind Ambassadorial (9-7) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (3) pol in Jun.
Pour La Victoire (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Led part of way to post, outpaced in rear, some late minor headway, never on terms, 5th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Little Boy Blue (9-9) at Brighton 6f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
