led to over 3f out, kept on until weakened from 2f out
steadied start, held up in rear, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer
towards rear, good headway going well from 2f out, shaken up and led over 1f out, soon clear, pushed out, impressive
tracked leader, every chance over 1f out, no extra and weakened inside final furlong
in touch, effort over 1f out, no chance with winner, one pace final furlong
behind, headway on outer over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no chance with winner
reared start, settled towards rear, headway over 1f out, keeping on when hampered and checked inside final furlong, eased towards finish
close up, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no chance with winner afterwards, edged right inside final furlong, kept on well from 2nd
raced keenly in touch to over 2f out, weakened quickly
held up in rear, steady headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to take 3rd close home
Nonrunner
Aye Aye Digby is now 5lbs higher than when landing a Goodwood handicap at the beginning of the month and Henry Candy's gelding looks booked for a place at best in a race taken to go to EXCLAMATION, who is preferred to High Standing. A narrow victory over Solar Spirit at Doncaster on his belated return following a 10 month absence, the William Haggas-trained gelding has to be respected racing off a 6lb higher mark. Mark Johnston's Nightjar made a satisfactory return to form when a close third behind Striking Spirit at Ascot earlier this month and he has claims off the same mark today. Sir Michael Stoute's Main Aim was beaten a long way in his last two starts last season and may do better on his reappearance today but he is hard to back with confidence, comments that also apply to Musaalem. The vote then goes to Brian Meehan's Exclamation, who has run well in defeat in both starts this term in a Listed race and a handicap and he is taken to gain a deserved success.
Exclamation 11-2fav (9-7) Held up in touch, switched right over 1f out, headway soon after, stayed on under pressure to take 3rd post, 3rd of 17, 4 1/2l behind Evens And Odds (8-11) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gf.
Drawnfromthepast (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Raced keenly early, held up last, ridden and outpaced over 2f out with plenty to do, ran on well inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 5, 3l behind Buachaill Dona (9-0) at Kempton 6f cnd stks (4yo+) (4) pol in Apr.
Main Aim 7-2fav (9-3) Behind, some headway over 1f out, never on terms, 8th of 17, 10l behind Icelandic (9-3) at Doncaster 6f Listed stks (1) sft in Nov.
Spanish Bounty 20-1 (9-1) Led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 17, 9l behind Evens And Odds (8-11) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gf.
Phantom Whisper 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon one pace, 8th of 12, 7l behind Striking Spirit (8-8) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Perfect Flight 28-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, outpaced and not much room over 2f out, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 7th of 17, 8l behind Icelandic (9-3) at Doncaster 6f Listed stks (1) sft in Nov.
Sundae 8-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, took keen hold in early stages, behind, never going well after, well behind final 2f, last of 11, 14l behind Perfect Flight (8-10) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) sft in Sep.
Good Gorsoon (USA) 6-1 (8-9) Held up, in mid-division and hampered over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Sohraab (9-3) at Chester 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Aye Aye Digby (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out, soon ridden, led over 1f out, kept on gamely, driven out, won at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating Rash Judgement (9-4) by 1l, 8 ran.
Esteem Machine (USA) 20-1 (9-4) Held up in 6th, pushed along and weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 10l behind Taqdeyr (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.
Nightjar (USA) 20-1 (8-7) Chased winner, ridden over 2f out, drifted right and no extra final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Striking Spirit (8-8) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Musaalem (USA) 4-1fav (9-0) Held up behind leaders, driven over 1f, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 11l behind Chief Editor (9-3) at Haydock 6f hcap (2) gf in Sep.
Mac Gille Eoin 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 17, 5l behind Evens And Odds (8-11) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gf.
High Standing (USA) 9-4fav (8-13) Steadied at start, held up, smooth headway over 1f out, quickened to lead approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd beating Solar Spirit (8-8) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
