chased leaders, lost place over 2f out
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
behind, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten
in touch, headway 2f out, soon ridden to challenge led inside final furlong, ran on
led, hard driven over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in rear, headway on outside 2f out, soon ridden and no impression
held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, never on terms
mid-division on outside, weakened over 2f out
Plenty with claims in a wide open contest. C&D winner Arnold Lane remains in good heart and makes more appeal than the badly drawn Our Boy Jack but the former still has a bit to find with the progressive STIRRING BALLAD. The latter recorded a hat-trick when successful at Goodwood last time and course specialist Franny Norton keeps the ride. Shamaal Nibras will also do well to reverse recent Goodwood running with the selection but Haydock winner Lady Macduff should be in the mix. Trail Blaze has been doing his winning in lower grade races but Bible Black takes a drop in class and is not out of this.
Bible Black (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Held up in rear racing keenly, ridden entering straight and still 5th over 1f out, kept on under pressure into 3rd final furlong, no chance with easy winner, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Takar (9-2) at Leopardstown 1m Listed stks (1) sft in Jun.
Gatepost (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) In touch, headway to chase winner halfway, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Fulbright (9-6) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Shamaal Nibras (USA) 11-2fav (9-6) Held up towards rear, headway on rails when hampered over 2f out, good headway over 1f out, switched left and stayed on well to 4th final 100 yards, not reach leaders, 4th of 16, 3l behind Stirring Ballad (8-7) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Stirring Ballad 8-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, headway when switched shaply right to rails over 2f out, went 4th over 1f out, switched right and strong run inside final furlong, soon led, stayed on strongly, won at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd beating Arnold Lane (9-7) by 2 1/4l, 16 ran.
Trail Blaze (IRE) 5-2 (9-7) Made all, pushed along over 3f out, edged right from over 2f out, driven out, won at Ayr 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul beating Anton Chigurh (9-2) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Alejandro (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Held up in 5th and off the pace, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 18l behind Stirring Ballad (8-7) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Lady Macduff (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Led early, tracked leader, led over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on well towards finish, won at Haydock 1m fll hcp (2) gd beating Burke's Rock (8-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Our Boy Jack (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Slowly into stride in rear, headway when switched right over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, held when short of room and snatched up near finish, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Trail Blaze (9-7) at Ayr 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Hadaj 18-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, weakened and losing place when hampered over 1f out, 11th of 13, 8l behind Highland Colori (8-10) at Newmarket 7f hcp 105 (2) gf.
Arnold Lane (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Held up in mid-division on inside, headway 3f out, chased leading duo over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd final 50 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Stirring Ballad (8-7) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Hi There (IRE) 13-2 (8-4) Dwelt, in rear in stand side group until switched to race centre after 2f, headway over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, kept on well, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Elusive Flame (8-13) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
