led far side and overal leader, headed by far side group over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up mid-division far side group, led farside group over 1f out, headed overall inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, held by winner
held up towards rear far side group, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader far side group, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear far side group, headway over 1f out, one pace
slowly away, in rear far side group, weakened entering final furlong
tracked leader winner stands side, ridden and edged left over 1f out, kept on same pace
made all stands side, ridden over 1f out, led overall inside final furlong, kept on well
tracked leaders far side, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch far side, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
This race could change complexion dramatically with three runners declared with caveats regarding the ground but the forecasters seem pretty certain that there will be some rain about and that may play into the hands of OUR JOE MAC who is only 3lb higher following a game victory on testing ground at Haydock. Tamaathul was unfortunate to bump into a progressive rival at Chester whilst Stoic, Swop and Balducci are simply fascinating runners with the market likely to provide a good guide to all three. Al Khaleej has something to prove at this trip in this company but Wannabe King shaped well on his return from a break at Warwick and the fragile but talented Harald Bluetooth ran respectably at Newmarket. Bushman and Ordnance Row are solid campaigners who are pretty versatile with regard to the ground but may find that at least one of their rivals is better handicapped.
Balcarce Nov (ARG) 16-1 (9-9) Led, brought field to stands side rail in straight, ridden and hung left from 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 17, 6l behind Ransom Note (9-0) at York 1m hcap (2) gd in Aug.
Stoic (IRE) 9-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 17, 6l behind Ransom Note (9-0) at York 1m hcap (2) gd in Aug.
Swop (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Sirocco Breeze (9-10) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcap in Mar.
Ordnance Row 16-1 (9-2) With leader, led over 2f out, driven and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 8l behind Cityscape (9-2) at Haydock 1m Listed stks (1) gf.
Al Khaleej (IRE) 11-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway when bumped over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 7f hcp 105 (2) gs in Aug beating Manassas (9-2) by 2l, 15 ran.
Harald Bluetooth (IRE) 7-2 (8-9) Close up in chasing group, effort when hampered 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Vesuve (8-9) at Newmarket 1m stks (2) gd in Jul.
Webbow (IRE) 9-2fav (9-6) Held up, headway under pressure over 3f out, not reached leaders, 13th of 18, 7l behind Osteopathic Remedy (9-2) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Capponi (IRE) 9-2fav (9-0) Mid-division on outside, pushed along 3f out, unable to quicken when not much room on rail over 2f out, weakened soon after, eased final furlong, 12th of 17, 8l behind Ransom Note (9-0) at York 1m hcap (2) gd in Aug.
Balducci 7-1fav (9-0) Raced far side, mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 27, 8l behind Ransom Note (8-10) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Our Joe Mac (IRE) 5-1fav (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden and chased leader 1f out, stayed on gamely to lead near finish, won at Haydock 1m hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Aug beating Silver Rime (9-2) by nk, 17 ran.
Bushman 66-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders on outside, took keen hold, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and no impression 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 23l behind Rip Van Winkle (9-5) at York 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.
Wannabe King 11-4fav (8-11) In touch, headway over 2f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Ashram (9-0) at Warwick 7f cond Stakes (3) gs in Aug.
Tamaathul 4-1fav (9-5) Went left start, mid-division, headway over 1f out, led entering final furlong, edged left, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Side Glance (8-12) at Chester 1m hcap (2) gs in Aug.
