tracked leaders, lost place 4f out, ridden, headway 2f out, effort approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden, headway approaching final furlong, never dangerous
led, steadied pace halfway, ridden, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, raced keenly, held up in rear, improved halfway, headway on bit to join leaders 2f out, shaken up, soon led, ridden out (course record)
always in rear, pushed along over 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden, every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, wide, headway 2f out, ridden, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, no extra
With Frankie Dettori booked, Descartes looks the pick of Godolphin's two runners ahead of the Kerrin McEvoy-ridden Zabeel Palace but lack of a run for two years has to be of concern and preference is for Royal Jet, who is taken to gain a deserved success. The selection has lost no caste in defeat in his last two starts, latterly behind Balanced Budget over this trip at Kempton (the pair clear) and Mick Channon's gelding remains on a fair mark off just a 1lb higher mark today. Del Mar Sunset ran better at Sandown last time but is plenty high enough in the weights back on the all-weather and he has yet to confirm that he stays this far. Island Odyssey is relatively unexposed and cannot be discounted easily, while Zonergem is capable but inconsistent. That is not a problem for Royal Jet though and he gets the vote.
Royal Jet 7-2fav (9-7) In touch, chased winner over 2f out, stayed on under pressure, no impression from over 1f out, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Balanced Budget (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Sept.
Zonergem 15-2 (9-5) In touch, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Impeller (9-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (5) pol in Sept.
Zabeel Palace 7-1 (8-5) Always rear, 8th of 9, 35l behind Muhareb (8-10) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 4f hcp std in Feb.
Given A Choice (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) Close up on inside, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 8l behind Great Hawk (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Sept.
Descartes Evensfav (9-0) Held up in rear, steady headway over 3f out, led inside final 2f, pushed out final furlong, readily, won at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (D2) sft in Oct '04 beating High Card (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Del Mar Sunset 6-1 (9-4) In rear, headway and not clear run from 2f, switched right and ran on inside final furlong, unlucky, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Fort Churchill (9-11) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Sept.
Activo (FR) 25-1 (9-10) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, driven 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Brief Goodbye (9-5) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Transvestite (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Held up in mid-division, steady headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 17, 5l behind Bauer (9-0) at Newbury 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Desert Cristal (IRE) 66-1 (8-9) Led after 1f, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened, 7th of 8, 7l behind Imperial Stride (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 2f lst stk (1) gd in Sept.
Island Odyssey 9-2 (9-1) Held up in touch, effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Dream Champion (8-7) at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Sept.
Gig Harbor 20-1 (9-12) Prominent, ridden and lost touch 3f out, soon behind, last of 10, 30l behind Balanced Budget (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Sept.
