dwelt, soon in touch, hard ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, always in rear division
chased leaders, effort on outside 3f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards, edged right near finish
prominent, chased leader 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, raced keenly and soon in touch, ridden and headway to chase leading pair over 1f out, quickened to lead final 100 yards
pulled hard, chased leader to 3f out, weakened rapidly, virtually pulled up final 2f
always rear division
dwelt, rear division, shaken up and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
led, going easily 2f out, headed and weakened inside final furlong
rear division, hard driven and no impression 3f out, soon eased when no chance
steadied in rear, no headway final 2f
The vote here goes to Takhleed ahead of Aldabra, Coup d'Etat, Prime Number and Curtain Bluff. The selection hails from a stable that does well here and, even though it is not fully firing at present, that has to change at some point. Judging by the promise that he has shown in his last couple of starts, including when fourth to Paper Talk at Newmarket last time, a race of this nature will come his way at some point. Today might be that day. Aiguille did not build on his debut run last time, but is better than that, and Sir Michael Stoute's expensive and well-bred Alabra will need to show more than his did on his debut, but this son of Green Desert will like the better going today. Coup d'Etat should be able to build on his Kempton debut run, and Curtain Bluff certainly has to be considered following a good debut run at Bath. Watch out for money for the locally-trained Great Plains, while Prime Number has plenty to like on breeding and is another to give some thought to. The David Elsworth-trained Whitsbury Common is related to four winners, so holds claims of sorts, and her stable companion, Zamboozle, has shown some promise in two runs to date. Overall, though, we will stick with Takhleed.
Aiguille (USA) 5-1 Slowly into stride, soon prominent, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 11th of 13, 13l behind Paper Talk at Newmarket 7f 3yo mdn gf.
Aldabra 11-2 In touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 13, 14l behind Restoration at Newbury 1m 3yo mdn gs.
All Ivory 12-1 Dwelt, behind, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 5th of 11, 7l behind Coup d'Etat at Kempton 7f mdn stk gd in Mar.
Curtain Bluff 7-2 Held up, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, hard ridden and headed 1f out, one pace but kept on for 3rd, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind All That And More at Bath 1m mdn stk gd.
Great Plains Halling colt out of winning miler West Dakota.
New Proposal (IRE) 50-1 Prominent and pulled hard, lost place after 2f, shaken up over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 13, 25l behind Chrysander at Newbury 1m 3yo mdn gs.
Play Up Pompey 100-1 Prominent, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, last of 8, 14l behind Loaderfun at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn (D2) sft in Sept.
Prime Number (IRE) King's Best colt, half-brother to 5f winner Maskaya and 6f winner Danaskaya.
Takhleed (USA) 5-1 Tracked winner, effort 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Paper Talk at Newmarket 7f 3yo mdn gf.
Zamboozle (IRE) 11-2 Chased leader far side, ridden and challenged over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 14, 7l behind Bayeux de Moi at Salisbury 1m 2yo mdn (D) gs in Aug.
Entertain 33-1 Prominent until weakened over 2f out, 13th of 14, 20l behind Fly To Dubai at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo hcp gf.
Whitsbury Common Lujain filly, half-sister to several winners, mostly at around 1m.
