held up in touch, under pressure 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
tracked leader, led 2f out, soon strongly challenged, stayed on gamely
always prominent, pressed winner approaching final furlong, soon every chance, kept on strongly
behind, some late headway, never nearer
led, headed 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, soon every chance, weakened final furlong
mid division, lost place over 2f out
steadied start, held up in rear, some headway over 2f out, weakened quickly
held up, never dangerous
always behind
in touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, lost place 2f out
With Godolphin's string still firing we'll side with the on form HAJOUM to land this handicap at the expense of last time out winner Dvinsky while Obe Gold looks the next best of a moderate field. Lightly raced with just four starts to his name the pick still looks to be improving and duly scored on his second outing of the season. That was in a maiden and after a break so he should be sharper and on the pick of his form so far he looks off a good mark. Dvinsky has been on the go for some time this season but showed he still is in good touch with victory over course and distance on his latest attempt. However he only just held on for the win that day so his six pound penalty looks slightly prohibitive. Obe Gold is the only other to make any sort of appeal in this field and although his best work of late has come in plating company his mark looks more realistic now back in these ranks but Hajoum still looks to have more to offer and should take the beating on his handicap debut.
Drawnfromthepast (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Keen, held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 2l behind Bahamian Lad (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Fantasy Explorer 11-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden and every chance from well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 17, 6l behind Even Bolder (8-0) at Ascot 5f app hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Hajoum (IRE) 7-4 (9-3) Went left start, soon in touch, headway over 1f out, edged left and led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Windsor 6f mdn stks (5) gf beating Ponting (9-0) by 2l, 12 ran.
Carved Emerald 20-1 (9-2) Held up, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Bahamian Lad (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Earlsmedic 5-2fav (8-12) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Methaaly (8-8) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Thunderous Mood (USA) 50-1 (8-9) Raced wide, close up, ridden and every chance entering final 2f, weakened final furlong, 15th of 17, 10l behind Esoterica (8-13) at Newmarket 7f hcp 105 (2) gd.
Harlech Castle 16-1 (9-5) Always behind, 12th of 14, 20l behind Luscivious (9-6) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jul.
Mutamared (USA) 20-1 (8-8) Took keen hold, held up, pushed along and beaten over 2f out, 9th of 10, 9l behind Lemon N Sugar (8-11) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Mogok Ruby 14-1 (8-13) Awkward start, keen in rear, 8th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Bahamian Lad (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Phantom Whisper 9-2 (8-5) Slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, headway towards centre over 1f out, plugged on, not pace to threaten leaders, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Arthur's Edge (8-5) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gs.
Dvinsky (USA) 5-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, led 2f out, soon challenged on both sides, driven inside final furlong, held on gainly, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Shaded Edge (8-13) by shd, 12 ran.
Obe Gold 11-4 (9-5) Hood removed late and stumbled start, behind, ridden after 2f, no impression until switched left and stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Whiteoak Lady (9-0) at Thirsk 6f sell stks (5) gd in Aug.
