tracked leaders, ridden and lost place well over 2f out, soon weakened tailed off
led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, kept on until no extra towards finish
went right start, tracked leaders, headed to challenge over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish
ran green in rear, ridden and headway to chase leading pair when edged left over 2f out, stayed on well towards finish
Nonrunner
A trappy conditions contest for us here with RAINE'S CROSS getting the verdict, while most of them have some sort of claim. Peter Winkworth's colt is by Cape Cross and as we would expect he has shown his best form so far on good ground or slower. He gets the former here today, sees out a mile very well, and was never under serious threat when winning at Salisbury last time. He looks well worth his mark of 95 and is the one to beat. Godolphin's Zeitoper beat a well fancied Stoute inmate at Sandown on debut, and looks a likely improver, as does Ralph Beckett's Layline, a debut scorer at Chepstow who will be at home on genuine good ground. Eddie Ahern is booked for Mingun Bell, who comes here seeking a hat-trick after wins at Warwick over 7f, and then comfortably at Southwell last time. This trip is ideal and with the Cecil runners red hot at present then he may well emerge as the main danger to the selection. Ishtar Gate will appreciate the drop back to this grade after an abortive attempt in Goodwood's Group 2 Vintage Stakes last time and the step up in trip looks a boon, while the same applies to Navajo Chief, who has been unable to fulfil his true potential over shorter thus far. A really interesting contest can go to Raine's Cross.
Ishtar Gate (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Close up on inside, pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 9l behind Xtension (9-0) at Goodwood 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul.
Mingun Bell (USA) 5-6fav (9-2) Raced wide, prominent, led on bit over 2f out, quickened clear final furlong, won in a canter, won at Southwell 1m 2yo nov stks (5) fbs in Aug beating Florio Vincitore (9-2) by 4l, 6 ran.
Raine's Cross 5-4fav (9-0) Held up, went 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, held on well, won at Salisbury 1m 2yo nov stk (4) gs in Sep beating Dancing David (8-8) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Zeitoper 3-1 (9-3) Dwelt, held up in touch in rear, headway travelling well over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, closed on leader to lead final stride, won at Sandown 1m 2yo mdn (4) sft in Sep beating Botanist (9-3) by ns, 7 ran.
Layline (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Held up, headway over 3f out, challenged and edged left well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well (hand timed), won at Chepstow 1m 2yo mdn aut (6) gs in Sep beating Inside Track (8-11) by 2l, 10 ran.
Navajo Chief 33-1 (9-2) Led and raced keen, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Nideeb (9-2) at Ascot 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Jul.
