chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, no extra, close home
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, close home
chased leaders, ridden and hung left 3f out, and soon beaten
in touch, switched right and challenged over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, no extra, close home
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
held up, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
led, driven and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression soon after
MAJOR CADEAUX drops in class here and can take advantage to claim this Group 2 from Laa Rayb. The selection drops back to 7f here, but that should not be an issue as he won over the trip on fast ground at Haydock earlier in the campaign. He lasts two runs, third in Group 1 contests at both Goodwood and Deauville, read well in the context of this race. He handles cut well and looks the one they all have to beat. Laa Rayb, on the other hand, steps up to this level after winning a Group 3, also at Deauville, and he has to prove he handles conditions so we'll take him on. Passager is an interesting raider for Criquette Head-Maarek, who does well with her trips over the Channel. The gelding lost his way a bit after finishing third in last year's Lockinge but he handles conditions and comes here with confidence high so might worry one or two of these. Soft ground suits Smokey Oakey, who won the Lincoln here in March but is not certain to relish this drop in trip, while C&D winner Arabian Gleam should find this ideal, but he has been comfortably beaten on his last two starts at this level.
Al Qasi (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Awkward leaving the stalls, tracked leaders on outside, led 2f out, going well, headed over 1f out, no chance with winner afterwards, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Paco Boy (9-0) at Newbury 7f Yorks Oaks (1) gs in Aug.
Arabian Gleam 8-1 (9-5) Close up, effort 2f out, soon ridden, one pace from over 1f out, never nearer, 4th of 9, 5l behind Paco Boy (9-0) at Newbury 7f Yorks Oaks (1) gs in Aug.
Laa Rayb (USA) (9-2) Led 3f out, hung left, driven out, won at Deauville 1m Grp 3 (1) in Aug beating Athanor (9-2) by 5l, 9 ran.
Major Cadeaux (9-3) Held up, headway over 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Tamayuz (8-11) at Deauville 1m Grp 1 (1) in Aug.
Passager (FR) (8-11) Tracked leader, went on over 1f out, comfortably, won at Deauville 1m stk gs in Aug beating Hashbrown (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Smokey Oakey (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Held up, headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 7, 14l behind Multidimensional (9-3) at Haydock 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Aug.
Somnus 12-1 (8-13) Dwelt, in rear, stayed on from over 1f out, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Battle Paint (8-13) at Doncaster 6f stk (3) gd in Aug.
Welsh Emperor (IRE) 15-8fav (8-13) Led, pushed along 3f out, strongly pressed 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Express Wish (8-13) at Goodwood 7f Grp 3 (1) sft.
Bobs Surprise 7-1 (8-5) Mid-division, hampered over 2f out, no danger after, 8th of 11, 13l behind Damika (8-11) at Haydock 6f stk (2) sft in Jul.
Racer Forever (USA) 25-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, held up, ridden on outside over 2f out, soon beaten, last of 9, 11l behind Paco Boy (8-9) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul.
