A lot of closely-rated horses in this Listed mile and preference is for PRIDE OF NATION ahead of Dijeer and Smokey Oakey. These ground conditions may scupper the chances of proven fast ground horses such as Mia's Boy and Stubbs Art, whilst Lady Deauville is up against it taking on the boys and Captain Marvellous is not living up to his name. We will take a chance then on the lowest-rated horse in the line-up Pride Of Nation. Despite having a stone to find on official ratings with the best of these, John Hills' gelding will love this ground. He loves to get his toe in and a former course and distance winner, this son of Danehill Dancer has been out of form lately but might be worth chancing in a tough race. Blythe Knight is admirably consistent and this Group-class horse has claims despite top-weight, whilst Ordnance Row won well last time at Salisbury and the form has been franked. Bushman is unexposed and talented and the drop in trip will suit, whilst Dijeer looks the best of the Godolphin pair and should cope with the return to this class. Smokey Oakey handles the ground and must be respected, however in what is essentially a Group race, we will side with Pride Of Nation.
Blythe Knight (IRE) 7-2 (9-10) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden in 2nd from 2f out, kept on same pace without threatening winner final furlong, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Carribean Sunset (9-3) at Leopardstown 1m Grp 3 sft in Aug.
Ordnance Row 5-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, led 1f out, hard ridden and edged right final furlong, kept on well, won at Salisbury 1m Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug beating Laa Rayb (9-0) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Smokey Oakey (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Held up, headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 7, 14l behind Multidimensional (9-3) at Haydock 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Aug.
Captain Marvelous (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Slowly away, in rear, never on terms, 8th of 11, 9l behind Blythe Knight (9-7) at Chester 7f lst stk (1) gd in Jul.
Mia's Boy 5-1 (9-4) Raced in 5th, ridden over 2f out, keeping on one pace and no impression when not much room inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Blythe Knight (9-4) at Epsom 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gd in Jun.
Wise Dennis 14-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 6l behind Ordnance Row (9-0) at Salisbury 1m Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug.
Babodana 9-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Bankable (9-5) at Goodwood 1m lst stk (1) sft in May.
Bushman 3-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, ridden well over 2f out, stayed on from 2f out, went 2nd last 100yds, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Many Volumes (9-5) at Sandown 1m 2f lst stk (1) gf in Jul.
Dijeerr (USA) 11-8fav (8-9) Made virtually all under stands side rail, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, won at Newmarket 1m stk (2) gd in Aug beating Drumfire (8-9) by 3l, 5 ran.
Pride of Nation (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon hung right, weakened 2f out, 17th of 18, 17l behind Fifteen Love (8-12) at Goodwood 1m hcap (2) gf in Aug.
Alexandros 4-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 17l behind Paco Boy (9-0) at Newbury 7f Yorks Oaks (1) gs in Aug.
Stubbs Art (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly 2f out, 6th of 8, 13l behind Henrythenavigator (9-0) at Ascot 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Lady Deauville (FR) 3-1 (8-13) Keen and always going well, led on bit over 2f out, driven out, won at Bath 1m lst fll stk (1) gs in Aug beating Eva's Request (8-8) by 2l, 10 ran.
