slowly into stride, keen, held up in touch, headway to chase leader over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
chased leader, ridden 2f out, edged right and led inside final furlong
held up, ridden half way, headway and short of room inside final furlong, stayed on
led, raced freely, ridden and hung right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on
chased leader, pushed along half way, weakened over 1f out
Mulaqat has hit form with a vengeance and can see off Crime Scene, with Ocean Pride, Silidan and Layazaal all respected. After opening his account at Yarmouth in September, Mulaqat duly obliged on his nursery bow at Goodwood despite finding the going on the dead side. He has the best credentials in this conditions event, with the faster ground and drop back in trip both in his favour. A progressive sort, he should have too much experience for Crime Scene who to be fair, knuckled down when asked to win his race at Newcastle. He should improve again on that debut effort and can give the selection most to do. Ocean Pride has already picked up a couple of races but the ground was riding on the soft side both times and he is likely to be taken off his feet here. Silidan will have his supporters as the horse that he beat at York, Rubenstar, went in again on Sunday, while Layazaal was a little unlucky in running behind Militaray Cross at Salisbury, although he appears a bit one-paced at present. Nevertheless, he cannot be ruled out entirely in a tight little contest, with our vote going the way of Mulaqat.
Layazaal (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Held up behind leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, not clear run inside final furlong, kept on close home, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Military Cross (9-5) at Salisbury 7f nov med aut stk (5) gd in Sept.
Mulaqat 7-2 (9-6) Held up towards rear, strong run to lead well inside final furlong, pushed out, readily, won at Goodwood 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept beating Kalankari (8-9) by 1l, 12 ran.
Ocean Pride (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind Shaydreambeliever (7-13) at Ayr 1m 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sept.
Silidan 5-1 (9-7) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at York 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sept beating Rubenstar (8-8) by 1l, 10 ran.
Inbuilt Beauty (USA) 33-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 4l behind Choosy (8-11) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn fll (4) sft.
Crime Scene (IRE) 5-2 (9-0) Dwelt, chased leaders, ran green from over 2f out, edged left final furlong, stayed on well under pressure to lead close home, won at Newcastle 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Jun beating Cape Gold (9-0) by a nk, 7 ran.
