disputed 2nd chasing clear leader, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, finished strongly, joined leader on line
disputed 2nd chasing clear leader, ridden 3f out, soon one pace
held up last, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, eased when beaten
disputed 4th, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f
disputed 4th, outpaced 3f out, stayed on final furlong
led and soon clear, 11 lengths ahead over 4f out, ridden when 3 lengths clear when entering final furlong, joined on line
held up in last pair, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
Hearthstead Maison and Purple Moon are the one's to beat on official ratings but preference is for MANY VOLUMES who may well be happier back on turf. Henry Cecil has two in the line-up and there may not be much between them, however Many Volumes is our preference. Ted Durcan is back on board and he is fancied to return to winning ways. Godolphin have taken four of the last five renewals of this race and they rely on Meydan City. A snip at $11.7 million, this Kingmambo colt needs to bounce back from a lacklustre run at the track behind John Gosden's Centennial. Hearthstead Maison is game and gutsy but his form this season hasn't been great and despite the good form of the stable he is taken on, along with Pinpoint who is more of a very good handicapper. Purple Moon hasn't been seen since finishing second in the Melbourne Cup; he is very talented but there are no plans to go back down under and a lot is to be taken on trust. Tranquil Tiger is not straightforward however he has plenty of ability and it would be no surprise to see a Henry Cecil one-two; and we will take Many Volumes to be first past the post.
Hearthstead Maison (IRE) (9-4) 7th of 8, 29l behind Harputlu Gaggos (9-4) at Veliefendi 1m 2f Grp 2 (1) std.
Many Volumes (USA) 5-2jt-fav (9-4) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Hattan (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) pol.
Mr Aviator (USA) 12-1 (9-7) In touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened just inside final 2f, eased final furlong, 13th of 17, 13l behind Gulf Express (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcap (2) gd in Jul.
Pinpoint (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, 6th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Ask The Butler (8-11) at Sandown 1m 2f hcap (2) gd in Aug.
Purple Moon (IRE) 9-2 (8-6) Raced in 8th, headway to go 3rd straight, led approaching final furlong, hung left, headed an no extra last 50yds, 2nd of 21, 1/2l behind Efficient (8-8) at Flemington 2m Grp 1 hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Tranquil Tiger 7-2 (9-0) Held up, headway on outside 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Sixties Icon (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
Meydan City (USA) 4-1 (8-12) Raced in 4th, ridden to challenge 3f out, weakening when slightly hampered 2f out, last of 5, 8l behind Centennial (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gs in Aug.
