held up, always in rear, never a factor
prominent, chased winner over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened towards finish
pressed leader, pushed along halfway, weakened quickly
held up towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge
held up towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, driven and kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not reach leaders
made most until headed and weakened just inside final 2f
held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to get competitive
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not pace to threaten
raced alone throughout towards far side and looked to be up with leaders, appeared to hold every chance over 1f out until outpaced by winner inside final furlong, kept on gamely to hold 2nd
chased leaders to halfway, soon lost place and well in rear
chased leaders, led just inside final 2f, pushed along, in command and ran on well final furlong
held up last, ran on strongly inside final furlong, finished well and almost snatched 2nd, no chance with winner
STRIKE THE DEAL can continue his progression at the expense of Dream Eater and High Standing. Kieren Fallon's understanding of this horse has been one of the highlights of the former champion jockey's reappearance and while he will need a little luck in running to thread his way through the field, there is little doubt that he is very much on the upgrade. Dream Eater is tried over six furlongs. He has plenty of speed and connections have finally given up the idea that this notoriously hard puller gets a mile. High Standing is worth his chance at this level. Third in the Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup; he did have a number of today's rivals behind him. JJ The Jet Plane was behind our selection when the pair met in the Duty Free at Newbury. That said, it represented a much improved effort upon what we had seen previously this term. Asset is quirky and while capable, he can be somewhat unreliable under pressure. French raider, Mariol is no makeweight. Second to King's Apostle over seven furlongs at Deauville, he dotted up over six furlongs later in the month. Knot In Wood represents a yard in tremendous form and he ran a serious race off a mark of 108 in the Ayr Gold Cup. Strike The Deal is recommended.
Art Connoisseur (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Prominent, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 18l behind Regal Parade (9-3) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) gs.
Asset (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, some late headway, never nearer, 6th of 14, 6l behind Regal Parade (9-3) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) gs.
Beckermet (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Eton Rifles (8-9) at Hamilton 6f cond Stakes (2) gd.
Dream Eater (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) 2nd of 9, hd behind Pressing (9-6) at Veliefendi(TUR) 1m stks gf.
High Standing (USA) 4-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Regal Parade (9-3) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) gs.
J J The Jet Plane (SAF) 8-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Strike The Deal (9-0) at Newbury 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Knot In Wood (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Chased leaders far side group, led that group approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 26, 1l behind Jimmy Styles (9-2) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gd.
Mariol (FR) 6-4fav (9-1) won at Deauville(FR) 6f Grp 3 gd in Aug beating Contest (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Palace Moon 9-4fav (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, hung left under pressure, held on well, won at Newmarket 6f Listed stks (1) gd in Aug beating Swiss Diva (8-6) by nk, 10 ran.
Prime Defender 8-1 (9-2) Disputed lead early, chased winner until ridden well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 7l behind Ashram (8-13) at Newbury 7f Listed stks (1) gf.
Tamagin (USA) 9-2 (9-0) Led, soon 3 lengths clear, ridden 2f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, driven and rallied to lead again post (new course record), won at Goodwood 6f Listed stks (1) gf beating Mac Gille Eoin (9-0) by hd, 8 ran.
Galpin Junior (USA) 33-1 (8-12) In rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 6th of 8, 7l behind Tamagin (9-0) at Goodwood 6f Listed stks (1) gf.
Sayif (IRE) 28-1 (9-1) Always prominent, every chance over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 3l behind Regal Parade (9-3) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) gs.
Mullein 11-2 (8-13) In rear, ridden over 2f out, headway entering final furlong, stayed on to take 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Tamagin (9-0) at Goodwood 6f Listed stks (1) gf.
Strike The Deal (USA) 9-2 (9-0) Soon outpaced and pushed along in rear, headway from 2f out, chased leaders final furlong, shaken up and ran on well to lead final 50 yards, won at Newbury 5f Grp 3 (1) gf beating Total Gallery (8-13) by nk, 9 ran.
