soon led, headed 2f out, soon ridden, no extra inside final furlong
raced keenly, held up in touch, went 2nd 6f out, led 2f out, ridden final furlong, joined on line
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
very slowly away, headway over 5f out racing keenly, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, soon outpaced
slowly into stride, held up, headway and switched right over 1f out, went 2nd entering final furlong, ran on well towards finish to join leader on line
led early, tracked leaders, raced keenly, no extra inside final furlong
Undoubtedly the best race of the evening and a competitive one at that, with MAC'S POWER taken to defy a penalty and beat both Musleh and Stoic. The selection was an impressive winner of a lesser contest here last time, for which he has gone up 6lbs. The Exceed And Excel colt loves it here, which is a big plus, and showed last time that he is still very much an improver, and he can continue that upward curve. Musleh has already completed a hat-trick, including two course and distance wins, and although he was firmly put in his place from this mark last time this is not quite as tough a race and he is entitled to go close. Stoic, on the other hand, is a hat-trick seeker after successes at both Newmarket and Sandown. He is 6lbs higher than that latter success and he should act on this surface, so with the yard still going well we will give him plenty of respect. Wajaha has been highly tried and thrashed as a result on his last two outings but the form of his April win here would give him every chance, if he is able to reproduce it. Elliptical has a solid look but probably wants a strong pace to be able to deliver another late challenge, while the surface might be a bit quick for Hunterview, and Penitent will perhaps be seen as a more competitive player. Mac's Power can have the energy here.
Musleh (USA) 9-4fav (9-1) Raced wide, held up, ridden and some headway entering final 2f, no impression final furlong, 9th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Highly Regal (8-6) at Kempton 1m hcp (2) pol.
Stoic (IRE) 15-8fav (8-13) Held up mid-division, headway from over 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf beating Fanunalter (9-4) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Wajaha (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Held up, effort 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 18th of 19, 34l behind Moneycantbuymelove (8-11) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo fll lst hcp (1) gf in Jun.
Hunterview 4-1 (9-8) Awkward at start, in rear, ridden 2f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 6l behind Invisible Man (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Elliptical (USA) 7-1 (9-9) Led, headed 2f out, soon outpaced, rallied and ran on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Seek N' Destroy (9-5) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Penitent 6-4fav (8-7) Chased leaders, challenge between horses 2f out, disputing lead throughout final furlong, and kept on well until not pace of winner final 50 yards, 2nd of 7, nk behind Khor Dubai (9-7) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Aug.
Mac's Power (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) Held up towards rear off strong pace, smooth headway on inside, inside final 3f, challenged on bit over 1f out, pushed in to lead 1f out, soon quickened clear, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Laudatory (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
