held up towards rear, steady progress from over 2f out, ridden and chanced final furlong, kept on
mid-division until weakened 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out headed entering final furlong, no extra final 50yds
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
chased leader, until 2f out, weakened and eased final furlong
towards rear, some late headway, never a danger
always outpaced in rear
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, no extra near finish
outpaced early in rear, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, ridden and hung left over 2f out, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, always behind
mid-division, effort 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, hard ridden to lead entering final furlong, no extra when headed near finish
in touch, ridden over 2f out, slightly hampered over 1f out, weakened
chased leaders, challenged 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, weakened final 50yds
always mid-division
chased leaders until weakened 2f out
chased leaders for 2f, dropped to mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression
behind, lot to do 3f out, soon ridden, hung left and ran on strongly from over 1f out, led near finish
never better than mid-division
always behind, tailed off final 2f
In the penultimate race on the card, Ektimaal is selected ahead of Bomber Command and Blue Java. Ektimaal rattled up a hat-trick of all-weather wins from January to March and he may just have needed the outing when fifth at Newmarket over a mile last time. It was still a fair run, though, and with the drop to seven furlongs looking likely to help, he can go well in this Ladies' race. Bomber Command came good over course and distance last time in a first-time visor and is conceivably still well-handicapped. Blue Java is running with commendable consistency and is another that should be considered as he has proven that he can go well for an inexperienced rider. Of the others, His Master's Voice did well to finish so close over six furlongs here last time and he can go well, Glenbuck is on a competitive mark, Starlight Gazer comes here on the up, having won two of his last three races, it is interesting to Thyolo return to a mile for the first time in a while, Macedo holds claims based on his Newbury Spring Cup run from earlier in the season, and Grizedale was not beaten far in this race last year running from today's mark. The vote, though, stays with Ektimaal.
Presumptive (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 10, 48l behind Game Lad (8-12) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Jun.
Ektimaal 16-1 (9-13) In touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 17, 6l behind Third Set (9-9) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Glenbuck (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Close up, effort 2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 10, 8l behind Game Lad (8-12) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Jun.
Mezuzah 5-1 (9-13) Held up, ridden over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Mutajarred (9-4) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) hvy.
Bold Marc (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Led, strongly pressed 2f out, headed over 1f out, steadily weakened, 11th of 17, 8l behind Ordnance Row (9-5) at Sandown 1m hcap (2) gs.
Starlight Gazer 2-1fav (9-3) Held up well in rear, ridden, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Leicester 7f hcap (4) sft beating Sailor King (9-9) by 1l, 11 ran.
Thyolo (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 17, 11l behind Bauer (9-0) at Newbury 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Macedon 12-1 (9-6) Never beyond mid-division, 14th of 15, 15l behind Habshan (9-5) at Newbury 1m hcap (4) gf in Jun.
Carnivore 5-2fav (9-2) In touch, headway over 1f out to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Musselburgh 7f hcap (4) gs in Jun beating Il Castagno (9-7) by a nk, 7 ran.
Gaelic Princess 14-1 (9-3) In touch, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 17, 8l behind Third Set (9-9) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Top Gear 20-1 (9-0) Led to over 3f out, weakened rapidly, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Nosferatu (9-3) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Indian's Feather (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 4, 8l behind Mutajarred (9-4) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) hvy.
Bomber Command (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Led, clear 2f out, edged left inside final furlong, held on, all out, won at Ascot 7f hcap (4) gf beating Moonlight Man (10-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Grizedale (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Led until headed 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 16l behind Starlight Gazer (9-5) at Newbury 7f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy.
Blue Java 3-1fav (9-2) Led halfway, no extra when headed final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Starlight Gazer (9-5) at Newbury 7f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy.
Russian Symphony (USA) 14-1 (9-13) Steadied start, keen hold in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Desert Dreamer (9-4) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
His Master's Voice (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Held up, driven 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Orpsie Boy (9-6) at Ascot 6f hcap (3) gf.
Grand Entrance (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 11l behind Ceremonial Jade (9-3) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Sept.
Middlemarch (IRE) 16-1 (7-13) Behind, ridden and outpaced halfway, never on terms, 6th of 8, 12l behind European Dream (9-7) at Redcar 1m hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Jun.
Dr Synn 8-1 (9-5) Went sharply left start, towards rear, ran on from over 1f out, finished well, nearest finish, 5th of 14, 3l behind Motafarred (9-0) at Kempton 7f app hcp (5) pol.
Arch of Titus (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, restrained in rear, trying to make headway when awkward on bend entering straight, never troubled leaders, 6th of 9, 4l behind Vitznau (9-1) at Chester 7f 3yo hcp (3) sft in Jun.
