tracked leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along and led narrowly 2f out, ridden and joined 1f out, headed over 100 yards out, no extra
towards rear, closer 2f out and soon pushed along, ridden and headway on outer to lead over 100 yards out, kept on well
soon led, pushed along and headed narrowly 2f out, ridden and disputed lead briefly again 1f out, dropped to 5th 100 yards out, no extra
always towards rear, pushed along and closer 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden 1 1/2f out and no impression in 5th early final furlong, rallied to go 2nd closing stages
tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along under 2f out, ridden and headway between horses to challenge 150 yards out, 3rd and no impression closing stages
Five of the six have won on this course, only the UK raider Marbaan hasn't run here, but he's improved with each run and stayed on strongly to land the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood. Hans Andersen looked like winning the Group 2 Futurity over the track and trip last month but tired in the closing stages and AESOP'S FABLES powered past. The former could be ridden with more restraint this time but the winner was very impressive and will take all the beating. Proud And Regal wasn't far behind in third in the Futurity after attempting to make all while Al Riffa made a fine debut behind Hans Andersen over the track and trip before an easy maiden winner on a return visit.
Aesop's Fables (IRE) 3-1 (9-5) Held up, progress into 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd 2f out, under pressure 1 1/2f out, stayed on into 2nd under 1f out, led final 100 yards, asserted close home, won at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Aug beating Hans Andersen (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Al Riffa (FR) 1-2fav (9-7) Pushed along briefly from stalls, soon tracked leaders on outer and close 2nd halfway, pushed along and led over 2f out, ridden to assert over 1f out, 2 lengths lead 1f out, kept on well, won at Curragh 7f mdn gd in Aug beating Salt Lake City (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Hans Andersen 5-2 (9-5) Soon tracked leaders, close 2nd halfway, ridden 2 1/2f out, led narrowly 2f out, asserted over 1f out, headed final 100 yards, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Aesop's Fables (9-5) at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Marbaan 14-1 (9-3) Restrained in rear, switched wide 3f out, headway when ridden over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead close home, won at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Jul beating Holloway Boy (9-3) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Proud And Regal (IRE) 5-4fav (9-5) Soon prominent, disputed after 2f, led narrowly halfway, ridden over 2f out, headed 2f out, no extra in 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Aesop's Fables (9-5) at Curragh 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Shartash (IRE) 18-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, 3rd halfway, 4th 2f out, soon ridden and no impression, kept on one pace to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 5, 7 1/2l behind Little Big Bear (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Aug.
