in touch, effort on outer 2f out, keeping on same pace when hampered inside final furlong
held up, ridden and no impression 2f out, headway entering final furlong, effort and switched left inside final furlong, ran on
slow into stride took keen hold, headway on outer to track leaders over 7f out, ridden over 2f out, weakening when hampered 1f out
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in rear, pushed along over 3f out, switched right approaching final furlong, kept on, nearest finish
led over 8f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, ran on
towards rear, headway on outer over 1f out, ran on, just failed
raced wide close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
led, headed over 8f out, tracked leader, led again over 1f out, ridden and ran on
keen tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, kept on one pace
Nonrunner
Last year's winner was the first favourite to succeed in nine years and again it's a tough puzzle to solve. Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore have struck form in no uncertain terms and though the stable saddles a pair at the bottom of the handicapper it's The Queen's DARTMOUTH who looks the one to be on. A son of Dubawi and the fourth foal of a mare who has already produced three very useful middle-distance performers, he's just the type his trainer excels with and with a victory on the course to his credit and a recent run behind him the Derby entry is likely to prove better than a 78-rated handicapper. Counterproof was sent to Wolverhampton to land his maiden which he did in style and he's another who could prove well handicapped while Richard Of Yorke defied inexperience to land a Windsor maiden in the style of a potentially useful middle-distance performer. Istinfaar will improve again after his Wolverhampton success while Soluble is better than the bare form of his Salisbury defeat suggests as he didn't get the best of runs. None of the remainder can be dismissed in a very interesting handicap.
Rare Rhythm 14-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, ran on to lead final strides, won at Newmarket 1m 2yo mdn (4) sft in Oct beating Wheat Sheaf (9-5) by shd, 16 ran.
Richard of Yorke 14-1 (8-11) Held up and behind, pushed along when not clear run over 2f out, soon switched right towards inside, headway under pressure over 1f out, strong run between horses into 2nd inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Windsor 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gd in Apr beating Wonder Laish (8-11) by nk, 9 ran.
Duretto 8-13fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov beating Oregon Gift (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Arcano Gold (IRE) 5-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, every chance over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Moonlightnavigator (8-9) at Musselburgh 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Apr.
Istinfaar (USA) 11-2 (8-13) Tracked leader, led inside final furlong, ridden towards finish, kept on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) in Apr beating Hakka (8-13) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Soluble (GER) 6-4fav (8-13) Pulled hard, soon in touch in mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and switched left over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on, unable to challenge, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Maxwell (9-2) at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Putting Green 10-1 (8-4) Prominent, hampered over 4f out, driven along 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 5th of 9, 13l behind Jack Hobbs (8-13) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
Counterproof (IRE) 5-4fav (9-5) Raced wide early tracked leaders until led 6f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) in Dec beating Amadeity (9-5) by 3l, 11 ran.
Dartmouth 9-1 (8-6) Prominent, lost place after 2f, not clear run over 2f o0out, soon switched left and effort, stayed on inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 4th of 9, 13l behind Jack Hobbs (8-13) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
Indelible Ink (IRE) 3-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, driven to lead 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Belgrade (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn stks (5) in Sep.
Librisa Breeze 8-15fav (9-5) Made most, joined 8f out, raced green and hung left 2f out, hung to centre from over 1f out, pushed out, improve, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Mar beating Baylay (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
