always prominent, driven over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, held on well
steadied start, took keen hold in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
stumbled start, made most until headed inside final furlong, ran on
prominent, ridden over 1f out, soon lost place, weakened inside final furlong
keen early, chased leaders, not clear run over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not quite able to get on terms
blindfold off late and missed break, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, switched left and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on
held up in rear, ridden 2f out, never on terms
towards rear, ridden on outside 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, not quite able to get on terms
always prominent, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, just held
This has produced some excellent winners in recent years and looks like doing so again. Maarek beat Line Of Reason narrowly a year ago but was receiving 4lb and the runner-up broke the track record here earlier this summer. He should turn the tables though will find MUTHMIR (NAP) a tough nut to crack. William Haggas' charge ran a superb race when third behind Goldream in the Prix De 'L'Abbaye in October and though he hasn't reproduced those heroics he's been racing in top company and the fact that he's had a light campaign should stand him in good stead. Three-year-olds don't have a good recent record though won it four years in succession up to 2010 and Mr Lupton is a worthy representative having won a lucrative handicap at York in June. The veteran Kingsgate Native bounced back to form at Nottingham while the very progressive Alpha Delphini deserves a crack at this company after completing a double in a very strong Class 2 handicap at Ascot.
Alpha Delphini 8-1 (8-3) Tracked main group leaders, pushed along halfway, went 2nd inside final 2f, strong challenge from over 1f out, ran on to lead on line, won at Ascot 5f hcp (2) gf in Jul beating Final Venture (8-8) by shd, 15 ran.
Caspian Prince (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Switched left to raced alone on near side rail, early speed, hung badly right from halfway, virtully pulled up over 1f out, 13th of 15, 19 1/2l behind Alpha Delphini (8-3) at Ascot 5f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Final Venture 9-2fav (8-8) Overall leader in centre, ridden and strongly pressed from over 1f out, kept slight advantage until caught post, 2nd of 15, shd behind Alpha Delphini (8-3) at Ascot 5f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Kingsgate Native (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Nottingham 5f stks (3) gf in Aug beating Thesme (8-6) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Line Of Reason (IRE) 11-1 (9-10) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, no extra final 50 yards, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 20, 2 3/4l behind Boom The Groom (9-7) at York 5f hcp stks (2) gf in Aug.
Maarek 7-1 (9-10) Dwelt and in rear, 8th halfway, soon pushed along, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 9, 5 1/2l behind Toscanini (9-7) at Curragh 6f lst stks Yielding in Jun.
Muthmir (IRE) 5-1jfav (9-2) Chased leaders, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, weakened well inside final furlong, 6th of 17, 2 1/4l behind Take Cover (9-2) at Goodwood 5f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Son Of Africa 16-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, good headway on wide outside avoiding all the trouble over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led towards finish, won going away, won at Sandown 5f hcp (3) gs in Aug beating Shipyard (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Mr Lupton (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Steadied start, held up towards rear, pushed along and struggling halfway, never involved, 11th of 12, 15 3/4l behind The Tin Man (9-4) at Newbury 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jul.
Willytheconqueror (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, no extra closing stages, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind In Salutem (9-7) at Ascot 5f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
