made all, pushed along and in command over 1f out, stretched well clear final furlong, eased near finish
held up tracking leading pair, tried to close over 2f out, soon readily held
checked winner throughout, ridden and no impression over 1f out
Practitioner looks the most opposable in this small field but finding the likeliest winner looks a tad harder. Narrow preference is for AL ZIR, who impressed on his debut at Newmarket. The selection cost a whopping $1.6million as a two-year-old but this exceedingly well-related US-bred colt suggested that it may not have been a fruitless investment when storming clear at Newmarket in August. He demolished a decent-looking field at the time, something that has been backed up by the fourth and seventh winning since. He will face different conditions today as there was a ton of rain before that debut run, however this Dewhurst and Racing Post Trophy entry can cope with the quicker ground and win this before going on to bigger and better things. Private Story also comes here unbeaten after one start. He was neglected in the betting at 25/1 on his debut at Sandown but he showed plenty of ability, especially as he lost a few places at halfway before rallying and winning going away. It may be that he is already wanting a mile, however he evidently has a lot of talent and he is another who comes from a very good American family. On the face of it however his maiden was somewhat weaker than that of his main rival and he is passed over. Practitioner has an official rating of 94; the feeling is that despite a second place in a Listed contest last time, his mark flatters him and he is opposable with the blinkers on again. His trainer is yet to have a Doncaster winner. Treadwell is of more interest; Jamie Osborne's Footstepsinthesand colt was hampered slightly when well-held in the Coventry Stakes but stayed on well late on. He looks sure to appreciate the longer trip today and after a three-month break he looks sure to run well. Not an easy puzzle to solve despite the numbers.
Al Zir (USA) 15-8fav (9-3) Awkward start, soon led, set steady pace, shaken up and quicken clear entering final furlong, eased towards finish, impressive, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Aug beating Awesome Act (9-3) by 4l, 14 ran.
Practitioner 12-1 (9-0) Raced towards centre, tracked leaders, switched left to centre group over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Azmeel (9-0) at Newbury 7f 2yo Listed stks (1) gf in Aug.
Treadwell (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) In touch, not clear run and switched right over 1f out to outer, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 13, 9l behind Canford Cliffs (9-1) at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Private Story (USA) 25-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, picked up well final 100 yards to lead near finish, won at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug beating Valiant Knight (9-3) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
