tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, led well over 1f out, quickened clear and edged right inside final furlong
held up in mid-division, pushed along 3f out, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division on inside, pushed along and weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, challenged 3f out, ridden and weakening when hung right inside final furlong
held up towards rear, pushed along on outside over 2f out, never a factor
tracked leader, challenged 3f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, ridden and kept on into 2nd near finish, not pace of winner
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, outpaced by winner final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
held up towards rear, ridden and no progress over 2f out
reluctant to load in stalls, held up towards rear, no progress over 2f out
slowly away, always behind, never a factor
soon pushed along towards rear, outpaced final 2f
BOTANIST can make amends for a near miss last time and confine the likes of Argaum and Treasure Town to minor berths. The selection stepped up markedly on the form of a promising debut to run a Godolphin newcomer to a nose at Sandown and shouldn't be long in breaking his duck. The form of both races looks solid with the Sandown winner having scored again and that form makes him the one to beat. The connections of his Sandown conqueror have a likely looking challenger in Treasure Town and support for this well related Derby entrant would obviously look significant. Argaum made a pleasing start to his career at Kempton and should improve as should Green Lightning and Protaras who both started off in pretty competitive contests. Richard Hills prefers Mataaleb to the more experienced Isdaar and the colt, who is a half-brother to Almutawakel amongst others, should be noted for support. Highland Knight is the second foal of a well related dam and is another newcomer to consider as is Capital Attraction but Botanist can bloom at the third time of asking.
Argaum (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up in mid-division, pushed along 3f out, stayed on into 3rd just inside final 2f, pushed along, kept on well final furlong, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Get A Grip (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (4) pol in Sep.
Botanist 10-11fav (9-3) Led, brought field to centre of course in straight, hung left, stayed on inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 7, ns behind Zeitoper (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2yo mdn (4) sft in Sep.
Capital Attraction (USA) Speightstown colt out of Cecilia's Crown.
Green Lightning (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Towards rear and outpaced, 6th of 10, 17l behind Hanson'd (9-3) at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sep.
Highland Knight (IRE) Night Shift colt out of Highland Shot.
Isdaar (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up, effort on inside over 2f out, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, 4th of 8, 10l behind Graymalkin (9-0) at Haydock 1m mdn stks (5) gf in Sep.
Mataaleb Dalakhani colt out of Elfaslah.
Protaras (USA) 11-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 10, 10l behind Fareej (9-0) at Newmarket 1m mdn stks (4) gf.
Treasure Town King's Best colt out of Shinko Hermes.
Yes Chef Best Of The Bests colt out of Lady Chef.
Azaday (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 16, 11l behind Namaskar (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 2yo stks (5) gf in Sep.
Daryainur (IRE) 100-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, always in rear, last of 13, 38l behind Critical Moment (9-3) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sep.
Mme De Stael 16-1 (9-0) Slowly away, ran green, always behind, 9th of 10, 21l behind Bint Almatar (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2yo stks (5) gf in Sep.
The Blue Dog (IRE) High Chaparral filly out of Jules.
