steady start, soon in touch, effort on inside 2f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly over 1f out
close up mid-division, ran on to lead inside final furlong, soon asserted, driven out
towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on but no impression from over 1f out
started very slowly, soon ridden along in rear, never in contention
led until headed inside final furlong, kept on well for 2nd
behind in touch, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, not pace to challenge
in touch on outer, chased leaders over 2f out, soon ridden and outpaced, kept on again final furlong but never dangerous
tracked leader, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
steadied start, held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out kept on final furlong but never near leaders
prominent in outside, effort 2f out, soon ridden, not quickened over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
Fajr was second to Capricorn Run in this last year from a 5lb lower mark and makes the short-list but the trip is not ideal and the claims of My Gacho and MAHADEE are preferred. Capricorn Run has struggled since winning last year and looks up against it but Fajr should have come on for his recent return and be ready for a winter campaign. Markab beat Dingaan with a little in hand a fortnight ago and should be competitive from his revised mark whilst it would be folly to ignore the claims of Atlantic Story who has won four of his six starts here with the latest coming off a 5lb lower mark. Quest For Success has his first run on the surface and steps up in class which makes him opposable despite his good run of form and we'll also pass over Ebraam and Beat The Bell due to slight concerns over the trip. My Gacho has a penalty for beating an in-form rival which leaves him a couple of pounds worse off with Markab on their running at the start of the month although it would be dangerous to pay too much heed to that. The selection has done all of his winning over further but he didn't look short of pace when winning over a mile at Great Leighs and the 10lb rise that he received is more of a concern. However, he gave the impression that he could handle a rise of that nature and, providing that he gets the strong pace that he requires, Mahadee can follow up here.
Fajr (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Raced far side, held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 16th of 17, 17l behind Plum Pudding (9-6) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.
Atlantic Story (USA) 20-1 (8-12) In touch far side, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 27th of 29, 17l behind Furnace (8-11) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gd in Sept.
Ebraam (USA) 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Benllech (8-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Capricorn Run (USA) 33-1 (9-3) Slowly away, in rear, never dangerous, last of 19, 21l behind Skhilling Spirit (8-7) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.
Markab 10-1 (9-4) Led 1f, tracked leader, led over 1f out, ran on well, driven out, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-90 (3) pol beating Dingaan (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Beat The Bell 7-2fav (8-3) In touch, ridden to lead inside final two furlongs, kept on until headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Benllech (8-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
My Gacho (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Keen, tracked leaders, led approaching 2f out, ridden clear final furlong, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Mister New York (8-12) by 3l, 11 ran.
Majuro (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, stayed on well, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Sept beating Paraguay (8-11) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Swift Gift 16-1 (8-6) Raced far side, pulled hard mid-division, improved to chase leaders 5f out, ridden to chase winner 1f out, edged left and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Plum Pudding (9-6) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.
Quest For Success (IRE) 11-8fav (9-2) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, soon drew clear, won at Ayr 7f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy beating Misphire (9-2) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Mahadee (IRE) 9-4fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead entering final furlong, soon clear, won at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Premier Danseur (8-13) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
