made all far side, clear, overall leader 1f out, eased towards finish
led stand side group, clear over 1f out, one pace and no chance with front pair far side group
chased leader stand side group, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
behind stand side group, never dangerous
mid-division stand side group, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased leader stand side group entering final furlong, no impression
mid-division stand side group, weakened halfway
mid-division stand side group, no impression from halfway
slowly away, chased winner far side group, no impression final 2f
chased leaders stand side group, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out,
chased leaders far side group, weakened halfway
behind stand side group, no impression from halfway
slowly away, raced stand side group and behind, some headway halfway, no impression
slowly away, soon chasing leaders stand side group, weakened halfway
This looks to be the weaker of the two divisions and a chance is taken on the O'Brien newcomer James Joyce, who is preferred to Blue Mirage and Portland. The last mentioned is out of a half-sister to Tenby and has to be respected on his debut along with Sir Michael Stoute's Sinndar colt Scrummage. Lake Poet is proving to be expensive to follow and of more interest may be Mabadi, although she is bred to come into her own over middle distances next term. Blue Mirage disappointed first time out and Godolphin's colt could well be better than he showed that day. James Joyce has a likely pedigree though and he may be worth chancing on his debut.
Blue Mirage (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden to chase leader 2f out, one pace from 1f out, 4th of 10, 10l behind Military Cross (8-11) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
James Joyce (IRE) Danehill colt, half-brother to the useful 6f-7f winner Contemporary and 6f winner Heinstein.
Lake Poet (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Close up, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Fancy Day (8-9) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Sept.
Liberate Lomitas colt, half-brother to 4 winners up to 1m4f.
Nimrana Fort 100-1 (9-0) Raced stand side, held up, never a factor, 11th of 23, 11l behind Arm Candy (8-9) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Sept.
Orpen's Astaire (IRE) Orpen colt out of a moderate racemare.
Portland Mujtahid colt, brother to winning miler Art Work.
Queen's Composer (IRE) Mozart colt, half-brother to 6f winner Princess Nutley and 7f winner Bon Expresso.
Scrummage Sinndar colt, half-brother to numerous winners.
Tilen (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear and never dangerous, 8th of 11, 15l behind Fenners (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2yo mdn aut (6) gf.
Verification 20-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, behind, headway on inner over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 20, 15l behind Gee Dee Nen (8-9) at York 1m 2yo mdn aut (4) sft.
Hazelnut Selkirk filly, half-sister to numerous winners up to 1m2f including the useful Macadamia.
Mabadi (USA) Sahm filly, half-sister to several winners including the versatile Mumaris.
Xenia Labeeb filly, half-sister to winning miler The Flag Stands and 6f winner Cheap Blut Classy.
