in touch, improved 10f out to go close up, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace
towards rear, pushed along 6f out, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
led, pushed along and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, weakened over 2f out
in touch, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
close up, headway 2f out, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden and ran on
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance when edged left over 1f out, kept on one pace
Gelded having disappointed last year, ALFAATIK returned to winning ways on his comeback and handicap debut over 1m4f at York. He’ll be sharper today and with the extra distance also likely to suit John Gosden’s charge, he should have the measure of last year’s winner Sleeping Lion. The latter is 3lb higher this time but could go close again after a couple of unsuccessful attempts at 2m. Volcanic Sky has also been competing over 2m and won at Kempton in July off a 10lb lower mark while Calculation is best over today’s trip but has been raised 5lb for finishing runner-up at Sandown. Apparate seemed in need of the outing when fading badly in the closing stages at Ascot while Hochfeld is preferred of the remainder back on a faster surface today.
Volcanic Sky 10-1 (9-10) In touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 17, 4 1/4l behind Summer Moon (9-8) at York 2m hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Alfaatik 15-2 (9-3) Dwelt held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leader 2f out, led inside final furlong, asserted towards finish, won at York 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug beating Dark Jedi (8-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Hochfeld (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 4 3/4l behind Without A Fight (9-3) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Sleeping Lion (USA) 5-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, 3rd and held final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Island Brave (9-2) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Calculation 6-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride and slightly hampered start, held up towards rear, steady headway on inside 2f out, led inside final furlong, soon headed and outpaced by winner, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Seinesational (9-4) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Solo Saxophone (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) In rear, pushed along 3f out, never near leaders, 9th of 17, 10 1/4l behind Summer Moon (9-8) at York 2m hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Apparate 5-2fav (9-7) Soon settled in mid-division, headway on wide outside chasing leaders over 3f out, every chance 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 10 1/4l behind Calling The Wind (9-0) at Ascot 1m 6f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
High Wells 12-1 (8-12) Slightly slow to stride, soon recovered to track leaders, ridden to press leaders over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, comfortable, won at Kempton 2m hcp (3) pol in Sep beating Dance To Paris (9-0) by 5 1/2l, 7 ran.