behind, some headway over 1f out, never on terms
chased leaders, weakened well over 1f out
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon hard ridden, stayed on well under pressure
with leader, lost place over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 1f out, never on terms
keen early in touch, led over 1f out, kept on well under pressure
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on well
held up towards rear, strong headway halfway, soon prominent, ever chance 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up in rear, driven and headway over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well
slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, raced keenly, effort well over 1f out, soon one pace
raced wide of pack and prominent, edged left and every chance over 1f out, weakened close home
reared start and very awkward, started very slowly, tailed off
raced wide of pack and prominent, every chance over 1f out, soon ridden and flashed tail, kept on same pace final furlong
The average SP of the winner over the last ten years has been nearly 8/1 and we will side with BALTHAZAAR'S GIFT ahead of King's Apostle, Sir Gerry, and Prime Defender. The selection was drawn on the wrong side last time and weakened late on having not seemingly taken to the first time visor. A course-and-distance winner in the past, Luca Cumani's gelding has the cheek-pieces back on today and should run well especially as he is adaptable when it comes to tactics. Edge Closer won nicely recently at Newmarket beating the selection, and they race off the same weights today. However he got the best passage last time and this may turn out differently today. Elletelle, the 2007 Queen Mary winner, should not be underestimated from Ger Lyons' stable, whilst the progressive Lesson In Humility steps up in class today. Prime Defender drops in class and a repeat of his two-length defeat in the July Cup may be enough to take this. James Fanshawe has a strong hand with his duo Zidane and Sir Gerry. The former needs luck in running as a hold up horse, and it is interesting that Jamie Spencer sticks with Sir Gerry who hasn't been seen since finishing in midfield in the July Cup. Assertive ran well in the relocated Sprint Cup at Doncaster and must be feared; he holds Diabolical on that run but there wasn't that much in it at the line, but a penalty makes life difficult and so we will stick with Balthazaar's Gift.
Assertive 25-1 (9-3) Chased leaders stand side, ridden over 2f out, driven and stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 15, nk behind African Rose (8-12) at Doncaster 6f Grp 1 (1) sft.
Advanced 15-2fav (9-6) Close up far side, left that group over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 13th of 27, 6l behind Regal Parade (8-10) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) hvy.
Balthazaar's Gift (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Switched right start, chased leaders stand's side, ridden and no impression final 2f, 12th of 15, 6l behind African Rose (8-12) at Doncaster 6f Grp 1 (1) sft.
Dhaular Dhar (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Behind far side group, stayed on over 1f out, nearest finish, 14th of 27, 6l behind Regal Parade (8-10) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) hvy.
Diabolical (USA) 16-1 (9-3) In touch stand side, driven and one pace final furlong, 7th of 15, 2 1/2l behind African Rose (8-12) at Doncaster 6f Grp 1 (1) sft.
Edge Closer 16-1 (9-4) Disputed lead, overall leader over 2f out, ran on well final furlong, ridden out, won at Newmarket 6f lst stk (1) gf in Aug beating Balthazaar's Gift (9-4) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Intrepid Jack (9-2) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, never in challenging position, 13th of 16, 17l behind Marchand D'or (9-2) at Deauville 6f Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug.
King's Apostle (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and steady progress from 2f out, stayed on, never troubled leaders, 7th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Edge Closer (9-4) at Newmarket 6f lst stk (1) gf in Aug.
Prime Defender 33-1 (9-3) Chased leaders far side, driven and one pace final furlong, 5th of 15, 1 1/2l behind African Rose (8-12) at Doncaster 6f Grp 1 (1) sft.
Zidane 20-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon beaten, 11th of 13, 4l behind Marchand D'or (9-5) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Sir Gerry (USA) 7-1 (8-13) Keen, steadied towards rear, ridden 2f out, soon beaten, eased final furlong, last of 13, 8l behind Marchand D'or (9-5) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Strike The Deal (USA) 40-1 (9-1) Chased leaders stand's side, ridden 2f out never dangerous, 9th of 15, 3 1/2l behind African Rose (8-12) at Doncaster 6f Grp 1 (1) sft.
Dark Missile 3-1jt-fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 10, 2l behind Strike Up The Band (9-3) at Ascot 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug.
Elletelle (IRE) 7-2 (8-12) Slowly into stride, headway to 5th 1 1/2f out, 4th over 1f out, stayed on to lead last 150yds, kept on well, just held on close home, won at Curragh 6f lst fll stk gf in Jul beating Aleagueoftheirown (9-3) by a shd, 13 ran.
Lesson In Humility (IRE) 10-3 (8-7) Made all, led, pressed from 2f out to 1f out, ran on and drew clear inside final furlong, driven out, won at Goodwood 6f lst stk (1) sft beating Asset (9-0) by 2l, 6 ran.
