slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 2f out, lost place over 1f out
led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
soon 2nd, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, brief effort over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner
started very slowly, held up in rear, headway on outside from last bend, led 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong
chased leaders, switched left over 1f out, no extra close home
slow to break, soon well behind, headway over 1f out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no impression on winner
Aluqair has come up short in handicaps since beating ALRAJAA (NAP) in novice company at Salisbury in August. But that was the latter’s first start of the year and he went on to win a novices' race at Chepstow by a wide-margin last time. John Gosden’s charge looks worth sticking with now handicapping. Buckingham went close over 7f at Epsom recently and has a shout while both Michele Strogoff and Strict Tempo are regularly placed without winning. Commander Han’s recent third came in lesser company at Laytown and Felix The Poet remains hard to predict.
Felix The Poet 16-1 (9-1) Led after 1f and raced keenly, headed inside final 2f, ridden and weakened quickly over 1f out, 9th of 11, 12l behind Kasbaan (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp (2) pol in Sep.
Michele Strogoff 8-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, nk behind Alfarqad (9-0) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (3) pol in Sep.
Commander Han (FR) 11-10fav (12-0) Led, ran freely, jumped puddle early, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stumbled just inside final furlong, no impression and dropped to 3rd 100 yards out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Confident Kid (11-7) at Laytown 7f pol in Sep.
Buckingham (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, held close home, 2nd of 8, hd behind Casement (9-6) at Epsom 7f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Strict Tempo 5-2fav (9-7) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Sash (9-10) at Bath 1m hcp (4) fm in Sep.
Alrajaa 2-13fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, led going well over 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, soon clear, easily, won at Chepstow 7f stks (5) gd in Sep beating Edraak (9-5) by 9l, 5 ran.
Aluqair (IRE) 3-1cfav (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Sir Titan (9-0) at Newmarket 7f hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Hold Still (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) In rear, detached over 2f out, last of 6, 14 3/4l behind Sash (9-10) at Bath 1m hcp (4) fm in Sep.
Balladeer 7-1 (9-6) Held up, pushed along 4f out, soon beaten, well held final 2f, last of 5, 16 3/4l behind Northern Lyte (8-10) at Beverley 1m hcp (4) gf in Aug.