soon led, ridden when headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, switched right and ridden over 2f out, not reach leaders
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon no impression
held up, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
prominent, led over 2f out, edged left approaching 1f out, soon headed and edged right well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and kept on
towards rear, headway to go in touch 4f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, some progress halfway
slowly into stride, always tailed off
slowly into stride, always in rear
stumbled leaving stalls, held up in touch, ridden and weakened approaching final furlong
prominent, weakened final furlong
In the opener, Barliffey is selected ahead of Khana Ras and Zabeel Tiger. After fetching 170,000 dollars as a yearling, Always Certain was then led out unsold for 38,000 guineas as a two-year-old but his breeding still makes him worthy of a mention here. Barliffey, though, has been just touched off in his last two starts and, having gained a rating of 79, he looks set for a leading role today. Khana Ras was only just behind him at Warwick last time and can also go well. Maximus Aurelius should be open to some improvement on his first two runs, while We're Delighted has shown enough promise to be given some thought, as has his stable companion Zabeel Tiger. It would be no surprise to see the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Confidence Trick improve on his modest debut run, and Connor's Choice made late headway at Windsor last time and the step up in trip today could well suit. The market might tell us more. Finally, the newcomers to get a mention are Luca Cumani's well-related Celt, and the Brian Meehan-trained 21,000 guineas purchase Saafend Geezer. In a tricky event then, once again the selection is Barliffey.
Always Certain (USA) Giant's Causeway colt, half-brother to winning sprinter Marty's Legend.
Barliffey (IRE) 5-2fav (9-1) Held up, switched right from over 2f out, headway entering final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 13, hd behind Dancer's Legacy (8-11) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Aug.
Celt Selkirk colt, half-brother to several winners from 1m2f-1m4f including high-class Pongee.
Confidence Trick (USA) 10-1 (9-0) Tracked winner, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 12l behind Yankadi (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Aug.
Khana Ras (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, faded well inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 4l behind Dancer's Legacy (8-11) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Aug.
Saafend Geezer Kyllachy gelding, half-brother to 1m3f winner Magic Princess.
We're Delighted 9-4fav (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, effort over 2f out, soon no impression, weakened final furlong, 5th of 15, 6l behind Marchpane (8-12) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in Aug.
Zabeel Tiger 8-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 7l behind Cape Vale (9-3) at Thirsk 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
