soon led, pushed along over 2f out, joined over 1f out, soon headed, no extra and one pace inside final furlong
soon raced in 10th, pushed along under 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
raced in 5th early, 9th before halfway, pushed along under 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
raced in 7th early, closer in 2nd before halfway, pushed along under 2f out, challenged and every chance over 1f out, kept on without matching front pair inside final furlong
raced in 2nd early, 4th before halfway, pushed along under 2f out, kept on without matching principals inside final furlong
a little slow into stride, raced in 8th early, 5th before halfway, pushed along under 2f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong
waited with in rear, pushed along under 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
a little slow into stride, raced in 9th early, pushed along approaching halfway in 8th, ran on without threatening inside final furlong
raced in 3rd early, 6th before halfway, still travelling smoothly behind horses under 2f out, switched left and pushed along over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
raced in 4th early, 7th before halfway, soon pushed along, improved to challenge and on terms over 1f out, soon led, stayed on well inside final furlong, just held on
raced in 6th early, closer in 3rd before halfway, soon pushed along, challenged and every chance inside final furlong, stayed on well, just held
SOFFIA beat a huge field in the opening handicap on this card a year ago and has gone from strength to strength, beginning her winning run in a Listed race before Group 3 and 2 victories on this track. Her latest victory in the Sapphire Stakes was easily her best yet and though fourth-placed Soldier's Call, who started favourite, lost a shoe during the race it's difficult to see a form reversal. Mabs Cross hasn't quite recaptured the form that saw her land the L'Abbaye at Longchamp last year but she's been racing at the highest level and looks to have the big race in Paris as her target so should be at her peak. Houtzen has to be of interest as the former Australia-trained mare ran a brilliant race when chasing home Battaash in the Group 2 King George at Goodwood with some smart sprinters behind.
Caspian Prince (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Led stand side group until ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 16th of 22, 6l behind Dakota Gold (9-10) at York 5f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Chessman (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Held up in rear of stands' side group, progress 1 1/2f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong without threatening, 7th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Nitro Boost (9-0) at Tipperary 5f lst stks (1) gd in Aug.
Hit The Bid 10-1 (9-7) Prominent in far side group, 3rd before halfway, progress to lead narrowly 1 1/2f out, headed under 1f out, soon ridden, weakened final 100 yards, 6th of 12, 3l behind Nitro Boost (9-0) at Tipperary 5f lst stks (1) gd in Aug.
Invincible Army (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Tracked winner, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Hello Youmzain (9-1) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) sft in Sep.
Soldier's Call 20-1 (9-9) Chased leader until halfway, chased (easy) winner 2f out, never any chance, 2nd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Battaash (9-11) at York 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Aug.
True Mason (8-12) 4th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Trois Mille (8-12) at Deauville 6f stks sft in Aug.
Houtzen (AUS) 16-1 (8-13) Held up in last pair, headway on outside of leaders 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Battaash (9-5) at Goodwood 5f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Mabs Cross 5-1 (9-8) Steadied start, held up off the pace towards rear, headway far side of group 2f out, kept on same pace in 4th inside final furlong, never any chance, 4th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Battaash (9-11) at York 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Soffia 6-1 (9-4) Chased leaders and raced near side group, 4th before halfway, switched left under 2f out and headway, led over 100yds out, quickly asserted and stayed on well, won at Curragh 5f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jul beating El Astronaute (9-7) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Fairyland (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Hello Youmzain (9-1) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) sft in Sep.
So Perfect (USA) 16-1 (8-12) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened approaching final furlong, 9th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Hello Youmzain (9-1) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) sft in Sep.
Urban Beat (IRE) 3-1fav (9-10) Towards rear in stands' side group, niggled along halfway, headway 1 1/2f out, ridden and ran on well under 1f out to 3rd closing stages, never nearer, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Nitro Boost (9-0) at Tipperary 5f lst stks (1) gd in Aug.
