YORK 15:40

All 22 ran. Race Distance Adjustment: +11 yds

Time: 2m 52.97s Closing Sectional: (3f): 36.1s (103.4%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 135%, Betfair SP 98.6%

The first million pound handicap in Britain was, in truth, a pretty similar race to most recent renewals of the race, though unsurprisingly it attracted a few more noted for plying their trade at pattern level, potential improvers typically thin on the ground due to the fact that most have done their progressing already, a BHA rating of 106 required to guarantee a run this time round; underfoot conditions and a middling gallop meant the emphasis was more on speed than stamina at the trip, the proper stayers found wanting, and the field came stand side to centre in the straight, the never-nearer fourth really the only one to encounter trouble in running.

MUSTAJEER has probably has the Ebor as his target all year after finishing fourth (from the same mark) in 2018 and was produced spot on to land this huge prize; mid-field, travelled fluently, headway under 3f out, led under pressure over 1f out, ridden out.

RED GALILEO had the assistance of an excellent 5-lb claimer and ran as well as he has, going through the race much smoother than in the Northumberland Plate 2 months earlier; mid-field, headway over 2f out, chased leaders approaching final 1f, stayed on.

DESERT SKYLINE (IRE) seemed sharpened up to some extent by a change of headgear and ran up to his recent best to fill third place in a hot handicap for the second time in his last 3 starts, once more doing his best work at the finish; mid-field, headway under pressure under 2f out, stayed on.

RAYMOND TUSK (IRE) ran as well as he has after 9 weeks off making his handicap debut, arguably a bit unlucky not to have finished closer still, impressing with the way he travelled under a typically patient Spencer ride but unsurprisingly not having an entirely smooth passage through such a large field; dropped out, travelled well, met some trouble over 2f out, had to pick way through after, stayed on, nearest at the finish.

BARSANTI (IRE) in first-time blinkers, turned in best effort of the season, the headgear maybe making a difference but just as likely he was simply back at home in a big-field handicap environment; held up, shaken up over 3f out, short of room over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on.

TRUE SELF (IRE) shaped better than the distance beaten suggests, for a long way going as well as anything at the weights but not seeing things out so well as might have been expected, maybe going to prove ideally suited by short of 14f on the Flat given the speed she has, her best effort on ratings achieved over 10f after all; mid-field, smooth headway 3f out, went on over 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded final 1f.

BEN VRACKIE wasn't disgraced after 6 weeks off, this more like his running without galloping on so strongly as might have been expected after a much more forceful ride than previously this season, a cleaner start maybe behind that; close up, out wide back straight, pushed along 3f out, headed over 2f out, one paced.

PRINCE OF ARRAN had every chance, his form so far this year not quite at his 2018 level; mid-field, shaken up over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, not quicken approaching final 1f.

RAHEEN HOUSE (IRE) was strong in the betting on the day and not disgraced but, equally, never really looked like getting involved, Raymond Tusk showing that it wasn't impossible to get into the shake-up from well off the pace, Raheen House's C&D form from the previous month let down by several in this; dropped out, headway under pressure 2f out, no extra final 1f.

MEKONG was much higher in the weights than when last seen in a handicap and didn't cut much ice, staying more towards the centre than most in the straight but that hardly an excuse given that the winner made his effort from a not dissimilar position; held up, shaken up over 3f out, headway under pressure 2f out, no extra final 1f.

CLEONTE (IRE) needs the emphasis more on stamina, the Cesarewitch more his race (third last year) so far as handicaps are concerned; chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, left behind gradually.

MAX DYNAMITE (FR) had a lot more on his plate than when landing the odds on his previous outing and wasn't up to it; mid-field, shaken up over 3f out, made no impression.

WITHHOLD is better judged on his Newbury form, the shorter trip possibly not in his favour here and this second run back after a long absence maybe catching up with him a bit, too; disputed lead early, close up after, ridden over 3f out, dropped away from 2f out; he's got an entry in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot and is well worth his place in that race for all he'll likely have a few pounds to find with the chief protaganists.

RED VERDON (USA) didn't have an obvious chance at the weights making the first handicap appearance of his career but was plainly below form all the same; held up, headway under pressure 2f out, not sustain effort.

WELLS FARHH GO (IRE) produced a performance in stark contrast to Goodwood the previous month, just a slight concern that his attitude might be going the wrong way; held up, off the bridle before most, ridden home turn, made no impression.

THE GRAND VISIR can have this run ignored, patently unsuited by the further drop back in trip; mid-field, left behind from 3f out.

BAGHDAD (FR) has been underwhelming since Royal Ascot, this a notably disappointing effort given the longer trip threatened to be very much in his favour; in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly 2f out; it could be worth roughing him off for this season and bringing him back as a 5-y-o.

KING'S ADVICE under a penalty, proved a major let-down given the season he's had, though at the same time it's certainly forgiveable; mid-field, shaken up over 3f out, soon beaten; knowing the yard, he'll probably be back out fairly quickly.

KELLY'S DINO (FR) under a penalty, turned in a rare poor effort; out wide back straight, tracked pace, shaken up 3f out, no response.

WEEKENDER had been runner-up in this from a 1 lb higher mark in 2018 but ran poorly this time round; out wide back straight, close up, weakened 3f out.

MAKING MIRACLES ran no sort of race, subsequently found to be lame and also suffering from heat stress; dwelt, soon detached, never travelling well, pulled up straight.

DRAMATIC QUEEN (USA) shaped as if probably amiss for the second race in succession; prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out, pulled up.