held up, pulled hard early, effort over 2f out, never on terms
held up in rear, headway 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on well inside final furlong, never able to challenge
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, some headway approaching final furlong, never dangerous
held up, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
prominent, lost place over 2f out
raced keenly, tracked leaders, every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
soon prominent, effort over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on well
ABSENT PLEASURE can return to the winners' enclosure in this contest, at the expense of Versaki and Akhenaten. Brian Meehan's colt, with an entry for the Dewhirst, looks the improving sort, and although third last time out when well supported, he finished well from a poor draw. A winner over 6 furlongs, this looks more his trip, and he can repay connections and backers this time out. Versaki's drop back to 7 furlongs from a mile should aid his claims, but he's not been able to follow up his debut success at Goodwood earlier in the year. Tried at group level without pulling up any trees, this is more likely to be his level. Akhenaten has run at group level, but been far from outclassed, and should have his backers again. His one victory came when a couple of rivals fell, so not too much should be read into that. He's a more than capable sort at this grade though. Our selection though is Absent Pleasure.
Absent Pleasure (USA) 5-4fav (9-1) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway 2f out, no extra close home, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Johnmanderville (8-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Sept.
Akhenaten 25-1 (9-0) Raced on outside, behind in touch, effort over 1f out, not reached leaders, one pace, 5th of 8, 7l behind Kite Wood (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs.
Gyr (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Switched right soon after start, held up, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 12th of 24, 6l behind Donativum (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo aut (2) gf.
Versaki (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Held up, in touch until lost place over 2f out, 12th of 14, 6l behind Johnmanderville (8-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Sept.
Carnaby Haggerston (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Soon outpaced in rear, last of 16, 26l behind Nasri (8-10) at Newbury 6f 2yo hcp (2) gd in Sept.
Confucius Captain (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Chased leaders on outer, hung left on bend 3f out, continued to hang and weakened soon after, 11th of 13, 16l behind Tobond (8-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol.
High Alert 66-1 (9-3) In touch, switched left 2f out and again over 1f out, stayed on one pace, 11th of 24, 5l behind Donativum (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo aut (2) gf.
Indian Art (IRE) 40-1 (8-9) Chased leaders stand's side group until weakened over 1f out, 11th of 21, 14l behind Awinnersgame (8-9) at Doncaster 6f 2yo aut (2) sft in Sept.
