chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden and hung right 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, one pace final 2f
steadied start, held up behind, ridden and headway 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
behind, ridden 4f out, headway over 1f out, never on terms
slowly into stride, soon chasing leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, weakened 3f out
held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, kept on final furlong
dwelt, pulled hard and soon chasing leader, ridden 4f out, weakened over 3f out, eased final 2f
Nonrunner
Ian Semple looks to hold a strong hand here saddling both Ulysees and Sarraaf with preference for the former of the two and he gets the vote with Alisdanza rated the best of the remainder. The selection got up close home to land a Musselburgh seller last time but earlier form in handicaps is better than that and he has an obvious chance in this grade again. Stablemate Sarraff always warrants respect in this grade but the 10-year-old looks to have too much to do to beat Ulysees. Desert Lightning is held by the selection on running at Musselburgh, while Donna's Double needs to improve on recent evidence to trouble the judge. Musiotal has been hard to win with and of more interest may be Hansomelle, who showed improved form over course and distance last time and has the assistance of good apprentice Greg Fairley. Alan Swinbank's Alisdanza is another with claims and is less exposed than most of these but Ulysees has solid claims and gets the vote.
Desert Lightning (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Ulysees (9-12) at Musselburgh 1m sll (5) gf.
Donna's Double 4-1 (8-5) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Mobane Flyer (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 2f clm (6) gs in May.
Insubordinate 14-1 (8-3) Towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 16, 13l behind My Gacho (9-4) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Musiotal 9-2 (9-1) Mid-division, lost place over 3f out, headway well over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Downland (9-8) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in May.
Sarraaf (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Mid-division, not much room over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 4l behind Arnie de Burgh (9-4) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Ulysees (IRE) 11-10fav (9-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 2f out, kept on to lead post, won at Musselburgh 1m sll (5) gf beating Desert Lightning (9-7) by a shd, 8 ran.
Alisdanza 4-7fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, headway to challenge over 1f out, no extra close home, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind Double Ransom (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 1f clm (6) gf in May.
Hansomelle (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Mid-division, one pace when not much room 2f out, no impression final furlong, 8th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Nevada Desert (9-6) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
