slowly away, towards rear, ridden, headway 2f out, kept on final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, edged right 2f out, kept on
in touch, weakened over 3f out
chased leader, ridden over 4f out weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra
behind, headway over 4f out, edged left 2f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, headed towards finish
held up towards rear, headway, not clear run 2f out and again entering inside final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish
chased leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
led, ridden, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
Descartes could have too much class for his rivals and he is taken to beat Dan Dare and Pevensey. The selection showed patchy form last season but this Dubai Millennium colt showed that he had trained-on when running a big race to finish third behind Remaad at Nad Al Sheba back in February. He does have a break to overcome again here today but he looks a class act and he can win this before going on to better things. Dan Dare does have the benefit of race fitness on his side and he did run well in a handicap when a close third behind Impeller at Sandown last time. However, he is far from straightforward and he looks relatively exposed. Pevensey has run in some hot races this season but he was well beaten at York last time and he may now benefit from his winter break and be seen to better effect next season. Very Wise is better over a shorter trip and we will return to the classy Descartes to lead them home.
Pevensey (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 19, 23l behind Purple Moon (9-4) at York 1m 6f hcap (2) gd in Aug.
Descartes 7-2fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Remaadd (9-6) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 2f hcp std in Feb.
Very Wise 12-1 (9-6) Took keen hold in touch, ridden along halfway, weakened over 2f out, last of 18, 41l behind The Illies (8-3) at York 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug.
Troubadour (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) In touch, ridden along over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 10l behind Bolodenka (9-7) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Aug.
Dan Dare (USA) 4-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, one pace when not much room inside final 2f, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Impeller (9-5) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Nanton (USA) 25-1 (8-13) In touch, driven to lead over 2f out, soon ridden, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 18, 2l behind Greek Well (9-0) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug.
Peculiar Prince (IRE) 14-1 (7-11) Prominent, 4th halfway, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 24, 3l behind Jalmira (8-13) at Curragh 1m hcp gd.
Best Prospect (IRE) 6-1 (9-13) In touch, led over 2f out, driven and headed when weakening over 1f out, 7th of 9, 13l behind Ravarino (8-11) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug.
The Grey Berry 13-2 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden along and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Parisian Dream (8-12) at Pontefract 1m 3yo hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Smokey Oakey (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) In touch, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind New Star (8-4) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Rosbay (IRE) 4-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 11l behind Philanthropy (8-5) at York 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) gf.
