tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, ran on well
tracked leaders and keen, no impression from over 1f out
led, headed 2f out, soon ridden, one pace
held up, pushed along over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
chased leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, not pace of winner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
It's a major blow to connections that Dettori cannot ride Fanjura and the Italian's mount, Moonquake, has to come into consideration but we'll give another chance to ALFATHAA. We're in danger of following the Haggas horse over the cliff and Richard Hills has lost faith in him but he's undoubtedly good enough to win a race of this nature if everything clicks. It's difficult to make up ground at York and you need plenty of luck at Goodwood so there are plausible excuses for those runs whilst he was given plenty to do at Sandown prior to that. All of those runs read well enough in the context of this race but there's no doubt that he's been frustrating to follow. Moonquake was reported to have run flat at York when running from a 4lb lower mark but he's been freshened up and returns to action sporting a tongue strap. He has every chance on the form that he showed earlier in the year. Fanjura's mark has risen by 17lbs since joining Barry Hills this year and he's won from the front and from off the pace but Dettori has got a real tune out of him the last twice and his loss is a blow. There were signs that the handicapper is gaining the upper hand and he's opposable. He's also unlikely to get a soft lead with Australia Day in the line-up and he comes here on the back of a confidence boosting win over hurdles. Eastern Aria merits respect but is held by Fanjura on their running at Sandown. Mawatheeq is the chosen mount of Richard Hills and has entries in a Group 3 and a couple of early closing handicaps; it's difficult to draw conclusions from his sole start this year when the yard was out of form but connections clearly retain faith. Dream Lodge has been performing well for his new yard but has no easy task from his revised mark so we'll opt for Alfathaa in the hope that he can finally deliver.
Fanjura (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Made all, ridden 2f out, 3 length clear entering final furlong, eased towards finish, won at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Aug beating Antinori (7-12) by nk, 16 ran.
Mawatheeq (USA) 16-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 23, 12l behind Extraterrestrial (8-12) at Newbury 1m hcp (2) sft in Apr.
Alfathaa 20-1 (9-2) Behind, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 19, 8l behind Roaring Forte (9-0) at York 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Australia Day (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Led, headed well over 2f out, beaten over 1f out, not much room when weakening inside final furlong, 10th of 14, 9l behind Drumfire (9-10) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp (4yo+) (2) gd in Jul.
Bazergan (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Held up, ridden 3f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 16, 5l behind Fanjura (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Eastern Aria (UAE) 4-1fav (9-7) Mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Aug beating Honimiere (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Dream Lodge (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Led, stayed far side to race alone over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Palavicini (8-12) at York 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
Moonquake (USA) 15-2 (9-8) Gradually got over from wide draw to track leader 8f out until over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out and eased soon after, 15th of 18, 26l behind Sirvino (8-8) at York 1m 2f hcap (2) gd in Jul.
Laterly (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Pulled hard in touch, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Royal Destination (9-2) at York 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf in Aug.
