unruly start, led main group until 4f out, soon driven and wandered under pressure, weakened 3f out, tailed off
behind until some headway final furlong, never in contention
raced alone towards far rail, overall leader, joined by main group leader 4f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on
prominent in main group, taken to join overall leader towards far side 4f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
soon in touch, pushed along 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
chased leaders, kept on same pace final 2f
held up, headway 4f out, pushed along 3f out, stayed on to modest 3rd final furlong, no chance with leading duo
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
pulled hard, held up, headway 4f out, soon tracking leaders on bit, ridden to challenge, green and edged left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out
ENGULF is given the verdict here ahead of Ertikaan and Startle. The William Haggas-trained son of Danehill Dancer shaped with promise on his reappearance at the track, filling sixth spot behind Colonel Carter. Jonny Murtagh has done well when riding for the yard in the past and with the drop in trip unlikely to be a problem he should run well. Captain John Nixon and Resolute Road are just two of a number of horses who will be qualified for handicaps after this run, so a bigger threat may emerge from one of the newcomers. Startle is a half-brother to winners over this trip so is considered for a strong yard, whilst Ertikaan is already gelded but this £60,000 purchase is out of a half-sister to Attraction and is bred to be pretty special. Neither of the John Best runners make great appeal, Medici Brave needs to step up massively on his Goodwood debut, whilst Moretta Blanche represents a yard that does well with fillies and is therefore respected on her racecourse bow. Probably the weaker of the two divisions and we will tentatively side with Engulf.
Billyonair 150-1 (9-3) Close up on outer, ridden and weakened 3f out, 11th of 12, 29l behind Rumoush (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Captain John Nixon 50-1 (8-13) In rear, outpaced halfway, 9th of 11, 21l behind The Rectifier (8-13) at Folkestone 7f mdn stks (5) gf in Apr.
Engulf (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, edged left when pressing leaders over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind Colonel Carter (9-3) at Newbury 1m 3yo mdn (4) gd in Apr.
Ertikaan Oasis Dream gelding out of Aunty Mary.
Lordsbury Pride (USA) 100-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always behind, tailed off, last of 11, 35l behind Tagseed (9-12) at Warwick 7f mdn stks (5) gd.
Medici Brave 66-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, never travelling and always in rear, last of 14, 22l behind Harvest Dancer (9-0) at Goodwood 1m mdn stks (5) gd.
Proud Tuscan Proud Citizen colt out of Tuscany Gal.
Resolute Road 80-1 (8-12) Always behind, 8th of 13, 11l behind Faithful One (8-7) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Apr.
Startle Starcraft gelding out of Witness.
Floating Angel (USA) 100-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 10, 19l behind Miss Mittagong (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 3yo fll mdn (5) gf.
Moretta Blanche Dansili filly out of Cotton House.
