chased leaders until ridden approaching final furlong, not quicken
went left start, with winner to halfway, soon weakened under pressure
chased leaders, headway 2f out, ran on final furlong, no impression final 50 yards
made virtually all, strongly challenged final furlong, ran on gamely under pressure
prominent on outside, driven 2f out, weakened final furlong
bumped start, behind, ridden halfway, soon lost touch
outpaced and behind eaarly, headway 2f out, ran on inside final furlong
bumped start, pulled hard and soon prominent, ridden and weakened 2f out
Palace Affair hit a rich vein of form during the summer and completed a hat-trick in Listed company at York in good style when last seen out in action but has a two-month absence to overcome and may find conditions quicker than ideal. Red Carpet is a classy performer but has had more than his share of problems and is best watched on his return from a layoff particularly as this trip could be on the sharp side for him nowadays. Royal Millennium has a little to find on the overall balance of his form so the vote goes to Smokin Beau. The five-year-old was outclassed in the Nunthorpe last time but will prove hard to beat back at this level and can enhance his already impressive track record by securing his fourth course success.