Manchurian steadied start, held up behind, still plenty to do 2f out, headway after, ridden entering final furlong, ran on to lead last 75yds
Golden Desert held up in midfield, switched left over 2f out, good headway well over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed and no extra last 75yds
Fleuret taken down early, towards rear, ridden and effort on outer over 2f out, kept on well under pressure from over 1f out, went 3rd well inside final furlong
Councellor led, ridden over 2f out, kept on well until headed inside final furlong, no extra last 100yds
Count Ceprano held up in midfield, headway on rail 3f out, edged out left 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong
Buxton chased leaders on rail, ridden well over 1f out, outpaced entering final furlong
Blue Java chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, chased leader briefly over 1f out, weakened just inside final furlong
Gentle Guru steadied start and dropped in behind, headway towards inner 3f out, not clear run and edged out left 2f out, never troubled leaders
Cape Of Luck chased leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, soon weakened
Grizedale steadied start, held up behind, effort on outer well over 2f out, never on terms
Wavertree Warrior held up in rear, pulled out 3f out, soon ridden and no headway
Dr Synn held up in rear, never dangerous
Steig chased leaders, ridden and hung right over 2f out, soon beaten
Tony James held up in touch, ridden and struggling when hampered over 2f out, soon well beaten, eased inside final furlong
Analyis of the race
A strong pace thanks to the keen going Councellor, who battled on bravely for fourth which says it all about the lack of strength in depth in this mediocre handicap that featured plenty of fading forces.
MANCHURIAN was given a confident ride, buried behind a wall of horses towards the back before edging closer travelling easily. He was pushed through a gap into the final furlong and won going away to suggest there is more to come. The step back up in trip clearly suited and he is a relatively unexposed handicapper.
Golden Desert was the other to travel strongly just off the pace and got first run on the winner but was still run down easily enough. He has still reversed recent course-and-distance form with Councellor and deserves a turf win at this level.
Nothing else threatened to get involved, although Count Ceprano did not have running room going to the final 2f and could plug on only at the one pace when finally in the clear. He is another plenty high enough in the handicap.
Buxton does not look as good on turf as he had no excuses despite taking the tight line against the inside rail.
Vanadium was withdrawn after getting a kick at the start.
Tote
Tote Win: 11.8
Tote place (1): 2.6
Tote place (2): 2.3
Tote place (3): 6.9
Exacta: 59.8
CSF: 57.2
Tricast: 552.5
Total SP: 127
Further Information
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