REDCAR 16:10 4r2fe

All 14 ran.

Time: 2m 2.28s Closing Sectional: (3f): 35.85s (102.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 122%, Betfair SP 98.4%

Rarely a deep race in the wider context of the grade but this was a good renewal of this long-established handicap, one of the features in Redcar's season, Al Muffrih a 4-y-o going places, made to work hard by the sole 3-y-o in the line-up, the rest a mix of exposed and averagely treated sorts; the pace was sound, making for a fair test.

AL MUFFRIH (IRE) put it all together, confirming the promise of his reappearance and, belatedly, his Newbury maiden win, the fitting of a hood perhaps key, still going keenly in touch but nothing like so free as last time, making headway under 3f out before leading approaching the final 1f and battling well, showing mettle to go with his clear talent; he'll go on improving, in good hands to have his ability harnessed, one to have on side in top-end handicaps on the back of this.

LEROY LEROY just out of the handicap, showed improved form, seeing out the longer trip well and not going down without a fight, time likely to show that he had a job on with the winner; prominent, every chance over 2f out, carried head bit awkwardly, responded well; he showed a slightly awkward way of going about things but it didn't seem to hold him back, and he'll be of some interest again against older horses.

VENTURA KNIGHT (IRE) bounced back to form, this one of his better days, despite not really convincing back up in trip; raced off the pace, travelled well, good headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed approaching final 1f, no extra; he's competitive from this sort of mark when putting his best foot forward, though inconsistency tempers enthusiasm somewhat.

NICHOLAS T shaped as if back in form, not seen to very best effect, though that's not to say that he was in any way unlucky; raced off the pace, in touch over 3f out, forced to switch over 2f out, kept on; he does stay this far but is probably at his very best over a well-run 1m.

THOMAS CRANMER (USA) ran to a similar level as on reappearance, never seriously threatening but, mindful of the way he ended last year, it's probably encouraging that he didn't go backwards from that; mid-field, chased leaders over 2f out, one paced; his mark, already lower than for his last win, may well edge down a bit further than this, not one to dismiss if taking in a 0-80 next time.

FENNAAN (IRE) wasn't seen to best effect, ridden with an eye on the still longer trip but the tactics were overdone rather, left with a lot to do and never competitive; soon steadied, not settle fully, still plenty to do over 1f out, late headway but never landed a blow.

COMMANDER HAN (FR) upped in trip, again ran below form, not convincing with his head carriage again, either; prominent, pushed along 3f out, carried head high, weakened over 1f out; he's only tasted success once and probably has a quirk or 2.

SOCIETY RED is better judged on previous form, not getting the space to open up at a crucial moment, spared a hard time thereafter; mid-field, headway when short of room over 2f out, shuffled back, not persevered with once held.

EPAULEMENT (IRE) is better judged on previous form, rare for him to be lacking at the business end, this likely coming too soon after what was a tough race, on testing ground, at Chester; pressed leader, travelled fluently, led briefly 3f out, found less than looked likely; he's very much the sort to bounce back quickly.

TRICORN (IRE) hinted at a revival, perhaps still working his way back for this yard, the longer trip possiby also stretching him; raced off the pace, headway out wide 3f out, weakened over 1f out, not persevered with once held; he'll drop further in the weights after this, 0-90's probably open to him then, potentially very well treated if building on this.

LUNAR JET was below form, struggling for consistency this year, but he's still on a fair mark when getting his ideal conditions; went in snatches, never on .

EMPLOYER (IRE) merely underlined the inconsistency that has long since held him back, his profile different from one run to the next; dwelt, raced off the pace, made no impression.

SANDS CHORUS had been holding it together well this year and is better judged on previous form, probably finding this coming too soon after just 2 days off, the race also that bit tougher than those he has been contesting; led, headed 3f out, weakened.

FIRST SITTING again finished well held, not appearing to have returned in much form; mid-field, weakened 2f out.