chased leaders, ridden 2f out, chased winner 1f out, soon no impression
keen, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon switched right, kept on one pace
slowly into stride, in rear, outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out
went right start, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, always in rear, behind final 2f
slowly into stride, soon prominent, led 2f out, ridden and ran on
slowly into stride, in rear, headway and switched right over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
Military Cross gets the vote over Cabourg, with Melodic Score and Commentary other interesting contenders. The draw should be noted here as the stalls are situated on the stands side on the straight course, so the action should unfold on the near side in theory. With that in mind, Military Cross, drawn in four, should go close to opening his account. The son of Cape Cross made a pleasing debut when second at Yarmouth and so nearly went one better when going down by a short-head to the hot favourite Lightning Affair at Newcastle at the end of last month. The third horse was six lengths away so that form might not be too bad and he should make a bold bid to go one better. Cabourg still looked green when third at Windsor last time and this Derby entry will appreciate the extra furlong. Melodic Score hails from the in-form Godolphin team and is another Derby entry. He should appreciate the better ground here after finishing in the ruck on his Newmarket debut. Commentary was a fair fourth on her Windsor introduction and should prove best of the others that have raced so far, while the market should be noted as regards the newcomers including Influence, although the fact that he has already been gelded suggests that he is not near the top of the Hannon pecking order. For the winner we return to Military Cross.
Cabourg (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, effort to chase leaders 2f out, strong challenge final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 15, 1/2l behind Tufton (9-0) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
Influence Inchinor gelding, half-brother to numerous winners including the useful Sharp Prod.
James The Third Diktat colt out of 1m2f winner Attention Seeker.
Krischera (USA) Kris S colt out of a useful sprinter in the States.
Melodic Score (USA) 9-2 (8-11) In touch, ridden well over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 17, 13l behind Morghim (8-11) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Aug.
Namid Reprobate (IRE) Namid colt, half-brother to 5f winner Blue Eyes.
Commentary 33-1 (8-2) Very slowly away, rear, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 4l behind Envision (9-0) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Aug.
Military Cross 13-8 (9-0) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed and no extra post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Lightning Affair (9-0) at Newcastle 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Aug.
