held up mid-division, headway wide over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, not reach winner
held up, effort wide over 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened
led 2f, stayed tracking leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up rear, headway and not clear run on inner over 2f out to over 1f out, finished strongly final furlong, gaining finish, unlucky
in touch, ridden and hung right 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no headway and weakened over 1f out
pulled hard, towards rear, rapid headway to lead 6f out, headed over 3f out, eased over 2f out
held up behind, ridden and outpaced 3f out, soon beaten
started slowly, in rear, some late progress final 2f, never nearer
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up behind, headway over 2f out on inside, bumped 2f out, kept on but not a danger
towards rear, stayed on well final 2f, nearest finish
prominent, lost touch 4f out, weakened 3f out
held up mid-division, lost place over 4f out, stayed on well again from over 1f out
led after 2f, headed 6f out, stayed tracking leaders, led again just over 1f out, stayed on well when pressed towards finish
prominent, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on same pace
in rear, under pressure 3f out, plenty to do over 2f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish
Many of these hold chances but as Swagger Stick has coped well with the tests put in front of him this season he gets a narrow vote of confidence over Maraahel and Mudawin, who both arrive here on the back of confidence-boosting wins. The same comments apply to Lochbuie, Odiham and Etmaam, who all merit a second look in the betting despite creeping up the weights and being set to take on much better-quality rivals today. While Le Tiss and Pagan Magic will do very well to follow up in this company and are probably best watched here. Whereas Mudawin will do well to dominate in this size of field and also has a few questions to answer in being upped in trip. Keenlung, on the other hand, may do better over this distance and is one to monitor for signs of each-way support. However, nothing makes as much appeal for win only purposes as Swagger Stick, who has every chance of still getting competitive off a mark of 90 considering the strength of this season's form. The Cozzene colt ran on well when outgunning Hazyview under Kevin Darley at Leicester. Before breezing round the same course when following up on his first try at this trip in April. Rested since then, Swagger Stick comes into the race fresher than most and, with an ideal draw in stall 16, everything looks to be in place for him to make a bold bid. Maraahel represents a yard that have won this race twice in the last six years has to be given the utmost respect as an improving sort. Richard Hills also thinks the son of Alzao is the pick of the Maktoum horses and the partnership should not be too far away if top weight does not hinder his chance. However, the handicapper has yet to get to grips with Swagger Stick, who is the percentage call on these terms.
