tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leader, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, regained lead inside final furlong, kept on, headed towards finish
close up, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
held up, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, weakened over 2f out
led, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, headway on outer 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken
Withdrawn
Trainer John Best can be rewarded for his patience here with SIR GERRY, who can come back to winning form at the main expense of Able Master. The selection races over his optimum trip and relishes cut in the ground, although he has not been seen since being slightly disappointing in the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes on the Knavesmire in May. Already a winner in this grade, he has gone close in both Group 2 and Group 3 company on several occasions and with the yard in form he can probably outclass this field. Able Master also acts with cut and is a very consistent gelding for Bryan Smart. This drop back in trip is no problem for him and at these weights he is entitled to go close. Mudlark Desert Phantom makes his seasonal reappearance on the last day of the turf campaign. He won three times last year when there was juice underfoot and all of those successes came over this trip. He was not disgraced in the Grand Criterium, but has not been seen since. His yard's runners are not going badly but maybe the lay-off might beat him. Icelandic should relish the ground and is another who has gone well without winning in higher grades, so it would be a surprise if the seven-year-old were not involved at the business end. Both Saxford and Prescription will also love this soft ground, although they may be a tad short on class, which is not something you can level at our selection, Sir Gerry.
Able Master (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Mia's Boy (8-11) at Doncaster 7f cond Stakes (2) gs in Oct.
Arthur's Edge 9-2fav (9-5) Always prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on well, won at Brighton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct beating Lochan Mor (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Desert Phantom (USA) 12-1 (8-13) Early lead, prominent to 2f out, outpaced, 5th of 7, 9l behind Naaqoos (8-13) at Longchamp(FR) 7f 2yo stks G1 gs in Oct '08.
Fullandby (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong to lead towards finish, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol beating Servoca (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Icelandic 20-1 (9-1) Mid-division, under pressure halfway, soon beaten, 14th of 20, 8l behind Royal Rock (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Protector (SAF) 33-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 14, 11l behind Mia's Boy (8-11) at Doncaster 7f cond Stakes (2) gs in Oct.
Sir Gerry (USA) 11-1 (9-7) Always behind, 12th of 16, 8l behind Utmost Respect (9-7) at York 6f Grp 2 (1) gf in May.
Vanadium 14-1 (8-9) Keen hold, held up in mid-division, headway and edging right from over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders, 4th of 14, 1 3/4l behind Eliza Doolittle (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Festoso (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, weakened quickly over 2f out, last of 20, 25l behind Royal Rock (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Crystal Moments 10-1 (8-9) In touch, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Newbury 7f flls hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct beating Dixey (9-0) by nk, 11 ran.
Lovely Thought 9-4fav (9-4) Led, headed over 2f out, regained lead inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Catterick 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct beating Real Diamond (8-8) by 4l, 11 ran.
Prescription 7-2fav (9-6) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on strongly, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Kyllachy Star (8-12) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Saxford 20-1 (9-3) Outpaced and soon well in rear, last of 9, 19l behind Border Patrol (9-0) at Newbury 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in May.
