took keen hold, soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
went right start, held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
led early, prominent, led again over 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong
held up, took keen hold, headway over 3f out, driven 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, driven 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
held up, ridden and struggling over 2f out
NonRunner
NonRunner
This looks the weaker division with DARK CONFIDANT taken to get the better of his elders despite still retaining maiden status. Having dropped considerably down the weights in 2016, Richard Guest's gelding returned to form with an excellent third at Doncaster last week behind King's Currency in what rates a better contest than this. The return to 6f and the application of blinkers appear responsible for the improvement. Hab Reeh has nothing to hide from the handicapper but retains the ability to contest strongly in races of this nature and is definite short-list material having obliged over course and distance on his penultimate start. Goninodaethat is hard to catch right but has a claim at his best and Flyball is one to note in the market.
Goninodaethat 16-1 (8-12) Keen, held up, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, last of 9, 8 3/4l behind Classic Seniority (10-6) at Ayr 7f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Munjally 33-1 (9-1) Behind, ridden 2f out, never a threat, 10th of 13, 10 1/2l behind Shadow Game (9-5) at Beverley 7f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Dark Confidant (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Prominent, led over 1f out, soon headed, rallying when edged right under pressure and short of room inside final furlong, faded closing stages, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind King's Currency (8-6) at Doncaster 6f hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Hab Reeh 17-2 (10-6) Led, headed over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 6l behind Ancient Cross (11-0) at Hamilton 6f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Ay Up Audrey 33-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 11th of 12, 7 1/2l behind Rose Eclair (8-12) at Redcar 5f mdn hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Studio Star 16-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 6 1/2l behind Whispering Soul (8-9) at Hamilton 5f hcp (6) gd in Jun.
Takahiro 100-1 (8-9) Slow into stride, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 17 3/4l behind Ordinal (9-3) at Musselburgh 7f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Ss Vega 9-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway from 2f out, went 4th 1f out, no impression on leaders, 4th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Tanaasub (9-0) at Ripon 6f mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.
Kylla 50-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders in centre group, lost place over 1f out, 10th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Searanger (9-4) at Redcar 5f hcp (6) gs in Jun.
Centre Haafhd 80-1 (10-9) Held up, headway and hit 5th, soon ridden, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last, at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Flyball 3-1fav (9-3) Prominent, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 6th of 15, 4 1/4l behind Gaelic Wizard (9-4) at Thirsk 6f hcp (6) gd in May.
