held up in touch on outside, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to take 2nd last stride
reared start, soon tracking leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon clear, ran on well
slowly into stride, behind, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
led early, pressed leader, weakened final furlong
took keen hold, held up, pushed along halfway, never on terms after
took keen hold, held up, short lived effort on wide outside 2f out
soon led, headed over 1f out, no chance with winner final furlong, lost 2nd last stride
An open handicap can go the way of Qadar ahead of the hat-trick seeking Lucayos, Machinist and Moayed. The selection wasn't beaten far in a Listed contest six days ago and Nick Littmoden's multiple course winner has solid claims for in-form jockey Neil Callan. After sporting a visor last time out, the normal blinkers are back on today and despite the widest draw, he looks a player. Machinist has been on his holidays in Dubai and hasn't been disgraced in two quality handicaps over there. However the feeling is that he may be slightly better over the minimum trip so for that reason he is opposed, along with Lucayos who's 4lb rise for a short-head win last time out will make life much tougher. The filly Lady Livius is classy but has needed the run in the past when back from a break, so of more interest may be Moayed who is winless in his last 18 starts but looks on an attractive mark. Phantom Whisper has pace to burn but is better over five furlongs and so we will return to Qadar to land this competitive handicap.
Qadar (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 10, 2l behind King Orchisios (9-3) at Lingfield 5f lst stk (1) pol.
Machinist (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Never a threat, 4th of 16, 4l behind National Colour (9-6) at Nad Al Sheba 5f stk std in Feb.
Lady Livius (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Raced alone stand side, well on terms, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Cape (8-8) at Newmarket 6f fll hcp (2) gd in Sept.
Moayed 10-1 (8-2) Held up, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 13, 3l behind Red Cape (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Lucayos 4-1 (8-12) Led, ridden over 2f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, just held on, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Rowe Park (8-9) by a shd, 10 ran.
Phantom Whisper 33-1 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 16, 11l behind Al Qasi (8-13) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (2) gs in Sept.
Continent 12-1 (8-11) Started slowly and towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 7l behind Stanley Goodspeed (8-1) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sept.
Distinctly Game 7-1 (8-3) Took keen hold, prominent, lost place over 4f out, no danger after, 9th of 11, 10l behind Ajigolo (8-6) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
