led, ridden headed over 2f out, soon beaten
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 3f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, one pace
held up and keen, effort on outer over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well
Rayhani gets the vote now dropped back to his optimum trip with Godolphin's returning duo on the shortlist along with the improving Galactic Star. The selection is dropped to this trip again and seeing as he has won his last two starts at the trip, it certainly looks a good move. Marcus Tregoning employs the services of William Buick and with his three pound claim an advantage, a big run can be expected. Rampallion and New Guinea both return from absences of over 300 days and the market should help guide to their chances, whilst Lake Poet drops in trip and therefore looks more of a danger. Classic Punch is arguably better on ground with some more give in however he has run some fine races on quick ground so cannot be dismissed, especially as he gives his all. Camrose is another for consideration if building on a good recent second, however Galactic Star could be an interesting contender. Sir Michael Stoute's colt is progressive and having scored well in a competitive big-field handicap at York and is improving with every run. Whilst he is 3lbs out of the handicap, he must be respected, however Rayhani is fancied to return to winning ways.
Classic Punch (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Led at steady pace, quickened tempo over 3f out, strongly pressed from 2f out, headed and found no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Dragon Dancer (9-2) at Windsor 1m 4f lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Britannic (9-2) 8th of 9, 7l behind Baby First (8-11) at Chantilly 1m 4f 3yo stk.
Lake Poet (IRE) 22-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden along 3f out, not much room and hampered over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 8th of 19, 11l behind Purple Moon (9-4) at York 1m 6f hcap (2) gd in Aug.
Rayhani (USA) 7-1 (9-7) Mid-division, went 3rd over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened entering final furlong, 5th of 9, 15l behind Tungsten Strike (9-12) at Goodwood 1m 6f lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Camrose 5-1 (9-0) Close up, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Before You Go (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f stk (2) gf in Aug.
Rampallion 10-3fav (8-12) Prominent, chased leader 2f out, driven to challenge and edged left over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 18, shd behind Folio (8-6) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Nov.
New Guinea 11-4 (8-0) Prominent, ridden and switched right well over 1f out, ran on well, won at Chester 1m 5f lst hcp (1) gd in Aug '06 beating Sunday Symphony (9-3) by 2l, 9 ran.
Galactic Star 6-1jt-fav (8-13) Held up behind, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug beating Dunaskin (9-10) by 1l, 19 ran.
