led, ridden, headed over 1f out, weakened rapidly
towards rear, good headway over 1f out, ran on to lead final strides
chased leader, ridden, every chance approaching 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
close up until weakened 2f out
mid-division, headway inside final 2f, ran on to lead inside final furlong, headed and lost 2 places near finish
held up behind, some headway over 1f out, kept on, not reached leaders
in rear, still last 2f out, strong run, not clear run inside final furlong, finished fast, gaining close home
behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on well to join 3rd close home, headed final strides
always behind, never troubled leaders
towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not reached leaders
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
A tightly knit handicap with just 2lb between top and bottom and Majestical is selected ahead of Danehill Stroller and Arfinnit. The selection hails from a shrewd yard and has a decent draw tonight. Although he does have a little bit to find on all-weather form, he confirmed that he was in good form with a recent success on turf. Danehill Stroller has ran creditably around here in banded stakes races. He has thrown in the odd slow start in the past so backers have to be aware. Arfinnit has the services on Seb Sanders this evening. The gelding is far from the most frequent of winners but is likely to be closing fast as they enter the home stretch. Meikle Barfil has dropped significantly down the weights although it may be prudent to offer a watching brief following a brief absence from the track. Drum Dance is unexposed on this surface while Gone 'N' Dunnett was quietly backed on his latest racecourse appearance. A tough opener for punters and Majestical emerges with the most tentative of nods.
Meikle Barfil 16-1 (8-2) In touch, chasing leaders when carried right to far rail 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 18, 5l behind Matterofact (8-8) at Goodwood 5f app hcp (6) gd in May.
Piccostar 11-1 (8-11) Dwelt, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Our Faye (10-0) at Salisbury 7f fll hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Drum Dance (IRE) 11-1 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out and in touch, soon weakened, last of 12, 10l behind Moves Goodenough (8-11) at Bath 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Willofcourse 13-2 (8-13) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Toms Laughter (9-1) at Chepstow 6f mdn hcp (5) sft in Jun.
Majestical (IRE) 7-2 (8-10) Held up, headway on outer 2f out, led approaching final furlong, held on near finish, won at Folkestone 6f clm (6) sft in Jun beating Milton's Keen (9-6) by a hd, 6 ran.
Gone'n'dunnett (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 11, 9l behind Makabul (9-13) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jun.
Danehill Stroller (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (8-9) Held up, ridden when not much room 2f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 6, 3l behind Majestical (8-10) at Folkestone 6f clm (6) sft in Jun.
Arfinnit (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Raced wide, never reached beyond mid-division, 10th of 14, 5l behind Cosmic Destiny (8-13) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) frm in Jun.
