chased leaders, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f
steady start, held up towards rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous
chased leading pair, ridden halfway, kept on one pace
chased leaders halfway
made all, ridden and ran on well final furlong (hand- timed)
held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
chased winner, ridden 2f out, no impression
held up, always in rear
slowly into stride, held up in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out
Special Lad is taken to bounce back from a recent defeat, with Hewaraat, Patternmaker and Rosapenna expected to give him most to do. Special Lad gained the first of his two career victories here at the beginning of August when given a positive ride by Jamie Spencer, and then followed up by defeating Rosapenna when the pair met at Newbury later that month, this time with Nelson De Souza doing the steering. On these terms there should not be too much between the duo again, but the selection is drawn in stall two and should make that count, if as expected they come up the stands side. Special Lad showed good speed at Goodwood last time, leading the far-side group most of the way before tiring, and this step down to class 5 company will help his cause today as Ryan Moore sits on him for only the second time. Hewaraat saw his little run of form come to an end when three places behind Special Lad at Goodwood, and on the revised terms he too is entitled to make a race of it. Patternmaker did not enjoy the soft going at Newmarket last time and is better judged on his earlier win at Hamilton. However, that form gives him a bit to do here and preference is for Special Lad who can crack out and make all.
Matsunosuke 8-1 (8-6) Raced stand side, chased leaders, ridden and edged left over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 10l behind Foley Millennium (9-8) at Yarmouth 5f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Rosapenna (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Held up, headway over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, not trouble winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Special Lad (8-5) at Newbury 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Clove (USA) 10-1 (9-0) Always behind stand side, 12th of 13, 13l behind Borderlescott (9-3) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Patternmaker (USA) 14-1 (8-7) Dwelt, soon close up, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 6l behind Desert Dreamer (8-12) at Newmarket 6f hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Special Lad 9-2fav (8-7) Led far side, ridden over 2f out, drifted left from over 1f out, stayed on one pace, 6th of 14, 4l behind Ocean Gift (8-13) at Goodwood 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Diamond Katie (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, never in challenging position, 6th of 8, 3l behind Chinalea (8-4) at Sandown 5f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Hewaraat (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) Prominent stand's side, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 14, 6l behind Ocean Gift (8-13) at Goodwood 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Majestical (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Slowly away, soon switched right towards near side rails, behind, some headway final furlong, no danger, 8th of 15, 5l behind Triple Zero (8-2) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Aug.
