close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, always in rear, ridden 2f out, no impression
keen, held up mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression
raced wide in touch, ridden and ran wide bend into straight over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong to take 4th
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
broke well, pulled hard, steadied to rear, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
in rear, pushed along 5f out, kept on inside final furlong, never near leaders
chased leader, ridden from halfway, driven to lead inside final furlong, stayed on
Some interesting newcomers here and each needs a check in the betting however Autumn Blades sets a fair standard and John Hills colt gets the nomination ahead of Traphalgar. The selection has finished fourth on both of his starts to date but with the services of the 'People's Champion' Ryan Moore, this son of Daggers Drawn should run well. The form of his debut behind Iguazu Falls is rock solid and proven on an artificial surface, he looks the one to be on. Traphalgar will get further in time and looks one for next season but his run behind City Leader (third in the Racingpost Trophy) bears close scrutiny. Distinctive Image should be at home on the all-weather given his American pedigree, whilst Gainsborough's Art and Hawk Island are two other nicely-bred sorts to be weary of. Stormbeam cost $130,000 and comes from a stable who can ready a newcomer, however whilst Silent Master could run well on his third outing, it is Autumn Blades who gets the nod.
Autumn Blades (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Led 1f, chased winner until 2f out, hung left over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 3l behind Lord Peter Flint (9-0) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Oct.
Distinctive Image (USA) Mineshaft colt out of a lightly-raced mare.
Gainsborough's Art (IRE) Desert Prince colt, related to useful sprinter Nights Cross and several other winners.
Hawk Island (IRE) Hawk Wing colt out of middle-distance winner Crimphill.
Hla Tun (USA) 25-1 (9-3) Slowly in to stride, in rear, ridden 3f out, some late headway, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 8l behind Whispered Dreams (8-12) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Oct.
Segal (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 20l behind Beacon Lodge (9-3) at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Silent Master (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 1f out, 7th of 13, 12l behind Boy Blue (9-3) at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Sept.
Stormbeam (USA) Tale Of The Cat colt, half-brother to several winners, mainly milers.
Traphalgar (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 14, 8l behind City Leader (9-3) at Ascot 7f 2yo mdn (3) gs in Jul.