in rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no impression
slowly into stride, pushed along in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
always close up, ridden to lead over 1f out, held on well
with leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
prominent and keen, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish
LEAN MACHINE has suffered from seconditis so far, runner up in his trio of races, but we think he could go one better today, and carries our support ahead of Glen Shiel and Buffett. Those races were at all at this level, and the last one at Newmarket has subsequently thrown up a couple of other winners. On debut he was only beaten by the subsequent Superlative Stakes Group 2 winner Silver Grecian. Glen Shiel is likely to be his market rival; runner up last time out when stepped down in trip, a return to six furlongs looks to be a positive move by Mark Johnston, whose two year olds regularly need a couple of races to get tuned up. It's a jump up in class though. Buffett will also qualify for a mark after this, and returns to six furlongs after failing to impress over seven. None of the newcomers have much appeal; none cost much or have any fancy entries, but the market can be a friend. However, we'll side with Lean Machine.
Buffett 25-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, weakened 1f out, 5th of 10, 9l behind Constant Contact (9-3) at Epsom Downs 7f 2yo mdn aut (4) gd in Aug.
Exceedthewildman Exceed And Excel colt out of Naomi Wildman.
Glen Shiel (USA) 5-2 (9-3) In touch, ridden halfway, soon outpaced, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Camacho Flyer (8-12) at Catterick 5f 2yo mdn aut (6) gs in Aug.
Kilmanseck 50-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden and weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 13, 14l behind Centigrade (9-3) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Aug.
Lean Machine 7-2 (9-3) Dwelt, soon prominent, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Dafeef (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Aug.
Robens Rock (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Led to over 4f out, chased winner, lost place over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 18l behind Tominator (9-3) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Aug.
Stefanki (IRE) Danehill Dancer colt out of Ghana.
Little Buddy 100-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 10th of 11, 34l behind Mingun Bell (9-3) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jul.
Bird On The Wire Compton Place filly out of Pomponette.