held up last, strong run on wide outside from over 1f out to lead inside final furlong, won going away
took keen hold, tracked leaders in 3rd, headway to chase leader inside final 2f, weakened final furlong
soon led and raced freely, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
with leader, ridden ovef 2f out, soon beaten
slowly into stride, took keen hold and settled in 5th, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, headed and outpaced by winner inside final furlong
behind, effort on wide outside and hung left on bend 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
Donegal has been good enough to finish in the frame in a Group 2 this year, and he should be able to add to his sole York success here, with Art Master perhaps the main danger. The selection was third behind Rio De La Plata in Goodwood's Verve Cliquot Stakes in August and finished closer in Listed company last time. There is nothing quite up to that standard in opposition here and he can score. Art Master won a 7f Leicester maiden on soft before finishing half a length adrift of the selection at Salisbury and there is clearly not a huge amount between them, but the application of headgear for the first time is taken as a positive for Donegal. Al Muheer should prove best of the rest, but the others have a fair bit to find and Donegal has the call.
Art Master 13-2 (8-13) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 3 1/2l behind McCartney (8-13) at Salisbury 1m 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Aug.
Donegal (USA) 6-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 3l behind McCartney (8-13) at Salisbury 1m 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Aug.
Ernie Owl (USA) 50-1 (9-7) Chased leaders stands side, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 19, 3l behind Jack Dawkins (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp (2) gf in Sept.
Ghetto 9-1 (9-3) Led far side group, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 11th of 19, 6l behind Jack Dawkins (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp (2) gf in Sept.
Abolition (USA) 15-2 (8-12) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 9, 7l behind Centennial (9-2) at Newbury 1m 2yo stk (2) gf in Sept.
Al Muheer (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on, 5th of 10, 2l behind Spitfire (8-13) at Doncaster 6f 2yo stk (2) gf in Sept.
Solent Ridge (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Close up 4th, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, kept on final furlong, short of room when snatched up near line, 5th of 9, 2l behind Billion Dollar Kid (9-2) at Sandown 7f nov stk (3) gf in Sept.