held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon led, ridden and under pressure inside final furlong, just held on
led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, soon led, headed over 1f out, rallied and every chance inside final furlong, just held near finish
TACTIC hasn't always looked entirely straightforward but that may not prevent him from getting the better of this field with Ezdiyaad and Copperbeech amongst the dangers. Ezdiyaad would appear to be the Maktoum first string judged on jockey bookings and he certainly ran well enough in a competitive handicap at Ascot where he met trouble in running. In spite of that marginal preference is for Tactic who drops back in trip after a fair run at Salisbury where he was only beaten by a length and a half into fifth. His two preceding runs in Group 3s read well in the context of this race and he won't be winning out of turn. Once More Dubai has questions to answer at present, Inventor ran no race last time although it may be worth forgiving him that whilst it's possible that Alfie Flits is using this race as a launchpad for another season's hurdling. Copperbeech has yet to win for her current yard but she's been running well enough to merit serious consideration in this line-up and she receives plenty of weight from her rivals but the vote goes to Tactic.
Once More Dubai (USA) 11-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 3f out until well over 1f out, weakened and heavily eased final furlong, last of 6, 33l behind Peligroso (8-11) at York 1m 2f cond Stakes (3) gd.
Ezdiyaad (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, staying on when hampered over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Cill Rialaig (8-7) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gs.
Tactic 9-4 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 1 3/4l behind The Betchworth Kid (9-2) at Salisbury 1m 6f cond Stakes (2) sft in Sep.
Copperbeech (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 4l behind Enticement (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 2f fll lst stks (1) gd.
Alfie Flits 33-1 (9-10) Behind, effort over 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f, never near leaders, 8th of 15, 9l behind Libel Law (8-10) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gd in Aug.
Inventor (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Prominent, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 18th of 19, 20l behind Opinion Poll (8-10) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gs.
