tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace
slowly into stride, behind, soon tracking leaders, hampered badly over 2f out, soon lost place
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, edged right over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, kept on same pace final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders and keen, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed towards finish
prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
soon pushed along, behind from halfway
ALMUKTAHEM is bred in the purple and the Sir Michael Stoute-trained runner is fancied to see off challenges from Invincible Isle, Hightime Heroine, Cross Section and newcomer Burns Night. The likely ground this evening looks sure to suit the selection as there are plenty of hints in his pedigree that suggest he will handle quick ground. He is a full brother to Safwa who was a mile winner at the age of three, and bred to improve with age and racing, he is fancied to build on his very promising debut at Newbury with a win today. Mark Johnston's stable are in good form so Burns Night needs a market check; he is a well-related son of Selkirk who looks to be starting off at the right trip and has apparently been burning up the gallops at home. There are several interesting fillies in the race, including Diapason, Age Of Couture and Cross Section who make their first starts as three-year-old's today. Margarita has the benefit of a decent enough reappearance run at Goodwood under her belt, whilst Hightime Heroine was a late starter on the racecourse and Jeremy Noseda's Danetime filly may still need more time despite her decent Salisbury debut. A tricky race to call however Almuktahem is the one we prefer.
Almuktahem 5-1 (9-3) Close up, ridden to challenge 2f out, every chance over 1f out, hanging left, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Prince Of Johanne (9-3) at Newbury 7f 3yo mdn (4) gs in May.
Burns Night Selkirk colt out of Night Frolic.
Jack Cool (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2f out, 9th of 13, 13l behind Sopranist (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gf in Apr.
Proud Junior (USA) 33-1 (8-12) Led until 5f out, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 10, 18l behind Thousand Miles (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m mdn stks (5) gd in Apr.
Ryker (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 5l behind Prince Of Johanne (9-3) at Newbury 7f 3yo mdn (4) gs in May.
Age of Couture 17-2 (8-12) Prominent, effort over 2f, weakened over 1f, 8th of 14, 20l behind Hunterview (9-3) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn aut (6) sft in Sep.
Cross Section (USA) 14-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, outpaced by winner final 50 yards, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Axel Foley (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Diapason (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, weakened final 100 yards, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind All About You (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Hightime Heroine (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, in touch on outside, ran green and edged right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never any chance with easy winner, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Rapid Water (9-0) at Salisbury 6f mdn stks (5) gf in May.
Invincible Isle (IRE) 3-1 (8-12) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, slightly bumped after 2f, led over 3f out, to just over 2f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened, 6th of 13, 13l behind King's Starlet (8-12) at Kempton 1m mdn fll (5) pol in Apr.
Margarita (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up last in steadily run race, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 8, 2 3/4l behind So Blissful (9-0) at Goodwood 7f 3yo fll mdn (5) gd in May.
Vigorosa (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Switched right start, held up in rear and always behind, 8th of 10, 14l behind Mackten (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in May.
Carragold 33-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, in rear and soon well behind, some headway halfway, never dangerous, 4th of 5, 10l behind Francis Walsingham (9-3) at Ripon 6f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf.
Fantino 14-1 (9-2) With leader, driven and weakened over 1f out, 13th of 15, 29l behind Broad Cairn (9-2) at Haydock 1m mdn stks (5) gs in May.
Noble Attitude Best Of The Bests filly out of Charming Lotte.
