Emirates Skyline chased leaders, pulled out 3f out, shakened up and quickened to lead 2f out, soon ridden, ran on well and in command after

Ladies Best held up in midfield, switched right and effort just over 3f out, ridden and hanging left from 2f out, chased winner entering final furlong, always held

Rationale held up towards rear, behind 3f out, headway 2f out, ran on well final furlong to go 3rd near finish, never reached leaders

Smart Instinct led, joined and ridden 3f out, headed 2f out, kept on one pace under pressure after

Shake On It steadied start and dropped in behind, headway on outer 3f out, hanging left and no impression last 2f

Northern Spy held up in last pair, effort on inner 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression

Eradicate chased leader, ridden to challenge 3f out, struggling when slightly short of room just over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out

Escape Route held up in midfield, ridden and effort 3f out, no progress

Moheebb chased leading pair until over 4f out, weakening when bumped over 3f out, soon behind

Mr Aviator held up in midfield, headway to chase leading pair over 4f out, ridden and bumped 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, virtually pulled up inside final furlong

A disappointing turnout and a steady early pace took the shine off what should have been a top handicap. EMIRATES SKYLINE was an impressive winner, quickening up well when finding daylight and only needing to be shaken up to hold on cosily, value formore than the bare margin. He has not stood much racing and his profile suggests he is best caught fresh, with connections also reporting he is not straightforward. He has been gelded and showed a willing enough attitude here, especially as he was asked to fight his way out of a corner to get running room. On this showing, he could go on to better things. He is getting to a rating level where he is going to have to make the jump to Pattern races but showed enough to suggest he can make his mark. His turnof foot suggests a drop back in trip would be no hindrance.

Ladies Best did not have the instant kick of the winner but kept on well enough for a clear-cut second, not looking overhappy on the course as he hung left under pressure (although had also done so on pancake-flat York). He does not look easy to place on a number of counts despite his hefty sale price. His rating looks at the higher end of his ability and he enjoys cut in the ground, while his optimum trip remains open to question.

Rationale took the eye on this return after a 111-day break. He had been most progressive after his belated racecourse debut at three and comes from a late-maturing line. The handicapper clobbered him at the end of his three-year-old days, but this performance suggests he might have more to give. He sat off the pace and did not have much room as his jockey dithered over which side of Ladies Best to challenge when travelling strongly.

Shake On It ran better than the bare form, as he weakened inthe final furlong after putting in a spirited run down the midtrack outside of the pack from the home turn. He is best on a sound surface and while he has edged up the handicap in defeat, he hinted at better to come on faster ground.

Escape Route was another to struggle late after making a brief effort halfway up the straight which promised better to come on midsummer ground.

Eradicate was another who did not have the ground in his favour, but he was still disappointing in weakening out of contention. (BJ)

Racing results courtesy of racing post. Please note that ever effort is made to ensure results are correct but I accept no liability for mistakes. The data is provided as a free service.

Please visit my Blog or sign up to my racing forum for the latest news and views.