tracked leader, led over 2f out, driven clear approaching final furlong, easily
stumbled start, led after 1f, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, in rear, under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led 1f, tracked leaders, effort on inside well over 1f out, stayed on same pace closing stages
NonRunner
A Group 2 winner at Meydan last year, Sky Hunter has not raced since well beaten in the Melbourne Cup in November and his yard remains under a bit of cloud. Arab Spring had little chance behind Postponed at York last month but has won at this level before and is having only his third start of the year. He’s preferred to Fire Fighting, well beaten in last year’s renewal, but ROBIN OF NAVAN looks a bigger threat. Rested since attempting to make all in the French Derby back in June, Harry Dunlop’s charge won a Group 1 in France as a juvenile. An entry in the St Leger suggests he’s expected to stay today’s longer trip and Silvestre De Sousa looks a good booking. Miss Marjurie has yet to match last year’s fifth in the Yorkshire Oaks while Barye and Noble Gift are decent handicappers but have something to find in this grade.
Arab Spring (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 27 3/4l behind Postponed (9-6) at York 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Barye 25-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway on inside 4f out, chased leaders and every chance 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 15, 6 3/4l behind Barsanti (9-10) at York 1m 4f hcp stks (2) gd in Aug.
Noble Gift 25-1 (9-3) Led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, eased, 13th of 17, 19 1/4l behind Fire Fighting (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp stks (2) gf in Jul.
Sky Hunter 33-1 (8-7) 22nd of 24, 15 1/4l behind Prince Of Penzance (8-5) at Flemington 2m Grp 1 hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Miss Marjurie (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 7 3/4l behind Forever Popular (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f lst fll stks (1) gf in Jul.
Robin Of Navan (FR) (9-2) 11th of 17, 11 3/4l behind Almanzor (9-2) at Chantilly 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Jun.
Fire Fighting (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Held up, ridden over 3f out, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 5 1/2l behind Berkshire (9-3) at Windsor 1m 4f lst stks (1) gf in Aug.