tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, effort over 2f out, soon one pace
held up towards rear, driven halfway, under pressure well over 2f out, never a factor
dwelt, soon in touch, hard driven over 4f out, weakened well over 1f out
made all, hard driven and went clear over 1f out, eased near finish
broke well, soon in rear, never a factor
started very slowly, soon in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, never able to challenge
held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, soon no impression
chased leaders, driven and under pressure over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
Plenty will give another chance to Holberg following his Newmarket failure but the form of his previous Goodwood victory, the horse's first start for Godolphin, has been let down more than once and he may be worth taking on despite the yard having won this race last year. We'll do just that in selecting LAAHEB, who showed that he stays the trip with a fine Listed victory at Newmarket earlier this year. On that form and on a line through Sans Frontieres he holds not only Holberg but Man Of Iron too, the latter having been rather disappointing this term. Luca Cumani's charge has won at Dundalk though so perhaps a return to an artificial surface will suit but we're unconvinced by him at present. Buxted has a bit to find on paper but he likes it here and perhaps didn't stay two miles at Longchamp but Saptapadi is probably more of a threat having been a shade unlucky when behind Laaheb at Newbury.
Buxted (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) 6th of 7, 10l behind Kite Wood (8-11) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in May.
Classic Punch (IRE) 9-4 (9-1) Chased leader, led over 5f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 19l behind Traffic Guard (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 2f cond Stakes (2) sft in Aug.
Heliodor (USA) 2-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened 1f out, 3rd of 4, 9l behind Pompeyano (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f cond Stakes (3) gd in Jul.
Holberg (UAE) 5-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 7l behind Sans Frontieres (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.
Laaheb 5-1 (9-4) Tracked leader after 2f, led over 3f out, ridden, headed, hampered and pushed right over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Sans Frontieres (9-8) at Newbury 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug.
Man Of Iron (USA) 12-1 (9-2) Held up, headway to go prominent halfway, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 23l behind Sans Frontieres (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.
Once More Dubai (USA) 22-1 (9-8) Steadied start, held up in last trio, headway on inside over 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, never going pace to threaten leaders, 5th of 10, 12l behind Stotsfold (9-11) at Sandown 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gf in Jul.
Saptapadi (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Raced keenly, held up, headway 3f out, close 3rd when hampered and pushed right over 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Sans Frontieres (9-8) at Newbury 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug.
Les Fazzani (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Led at good pace, headed 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 8, 17l behind Poet (9-3) at Haydock 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) sft in Aug.