chased winner until well over 4f out, soon short of room, weakened over 2f out, eased final furlong
mid-division, raced keenly, headway 2f out, soon chasing leading pair, hung left inside final furlong, no impression towards finish
made all, pushed along over 3f out, ridden about 4 lengths clear 2f out, driven out
held up in last well off the pace, headway on outside 2f out, soon ridden, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, too much to do
steadied start, held up, not clear run on inside 2f out, headway over 1f out, no impression on leaders
mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakening when hampered soon after
chased leaders, ridden over 5f out, soon dropped out, well behind final 3f, tailed off
tracked leaders, raced freely, chased winner well over 4f out until over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
DEBUSSY is taken to get the better of Masterofthehorse and Golden Sword in the feature race of the day. John Gosden has his string in good form and our selection won well on his seasonal reappearance and then he got the better of Midday at Epsom last time. That was his first run on the turf and he ran green that day so there is reason to think there is plenty more to come. He is not ideally drawn, but he looks a good bet to take this before going on to bigger and better things. Aidan O'Brien has two runners here and of the pair Masterofthehorse is preferred. He was well beaten in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster when last seen out in October, but he shapes as though this longer trip will suit. Golden Sword will have a race fitness edge on his stablemate as he ran in a Group 3 in France last month. He wasn't beaten far that day and he is another who should have no problems getting this longer trip. Sir Michael Stoute won this race last year and Saptapadi is his representative here, but he looks to have a bit to find with Above Average on their running last time out. However, he ran very green that day and this is only his third run so there should be more to come. Above Average left behind all his previous form when winning last time out and it will be interesting to see if he can take another leap forward today. Debussy makes most appeal and he gets the vote.
Above Average (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Started slowly, soon tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden to press leader 2f out, stayed on gamely final furlong, led final strides, won at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr beating Big Bound (9-0) by hd, 6 ran.
Debussy (IRE) 11-4fav (9-1) Held up in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left and ran on final furlong, won at Epsom Downs 1m 2f con stks (2) gd in Apr beating Midday (8-10) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Golden Sword (9-2) 4th of 7, 1 1/4l behind Grandcamp (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f stk gd in Apr.
Masterofthehorse (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Prominent, weakened 2f out, 11th of 15, 14l behind Crowded House (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2yo stks G1 (1) gd in Oct.
Saptapadi (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Held up behind, in rear 8f out, not much room on inside from 2f out, switched left over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Above Average (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Sight Unseen 14-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, steady headway on outside over 2f out, led inside final 2f, stayed on well, won at Newbury 1m 3f 3yo mdn (4) gs in Apr beating Tactic (9-3) by 4l, 12 ran.
Solo Choice 20-1 (9-3) Towards rear, steady headway over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 11, 2l behind Good Buy Dubai (8-6) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.
Too Much Trouble 1-3fav (9-4) Steadied at start and held up in rear, took 2nd place 7f out, quickened to lead over 2f out, soon clear, easily, won at Catterick 1m 3f 3yo stk (3) gf in Apr beating Keeptheboatafloat (9-4) by 18l, 3 ran.
