tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace final 2f
tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon clear, comfortable
close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
in rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on, never nearer
slowly into stride, always outpaced
soon pushed along in rear, kept on, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
Moktabes can put a disappointing effort last time behind him to come out on top over Biryani, with Punctuation and Staunchly others worth noting here. The Godolphin stable was not in the best of form when Moktabes made his debut over a mile on soft ground at Ripon in May, and in addition it was reported that he had lost his action. The colt put in a much more pleasing performance though when caught on the line by May Morning at Yarmouth on his next start in July, the faster ground and drop in trip helping his cause. With that in mind he should have been nailed on to go one better at Chepstow next time, but it seemed that a first-time visor did not have the desired effect, and hopefully he will give his true running now. Biryani hails from a stable that has had a good run of late and she should definitely improve on her reappearance fourth to Perfect Solution over six furlongs at Salisbury. Punctuation was well down the field at Thirsk and is another that may have been hiding his light under a bushel, while Staunchly comes from a yard whose runners always improve with time. They appear to be the main protagonists then, and it is Moktabes who is the pick.
Dalpe 4-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened 3f out, 6th of 12, 29l behind Bundaberg (9-2) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn stk (D4) fbs in Dec.
Moktabes (USA) 15-8 (9-0) In touch, ridden along over 4f out, weakened from 2f out, 8th of 11, 7l behind Remington (9-6) at Chepstow 7f mdn stk (5) gd in Aug.
Punctuation 20-1 (9-0) Behind, headway 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 14th of 18, 14l behind Anchor Date (8-11) at Thirsk 6f mdn stk (5) gf.
Pyramid 50-1 (9-0) Always behind, last of 13, well behind Machinate (8-7) at Catterick 7f 3yo mdn (5) gd.
Beyonce 11-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, weakened 3f out, tailed off final 2f, last of 6, 43l behind Jack The Giant (9-0) at Epsom 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) gd.
Biriyani (IRE) 2-1fav (8-11) Steadied soon after start, tracked leaders, effort from 2f out, not pace to challenge 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 5l behind Perfect Solution (8-11) at Salisbury 6f mdn fll (5) gs in Aug.
Staunchly (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Mid-division, driven over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Monda (8-9) at Redcar 7f mdn stk (5) gd.
Taj India (USA) 17-2 (8-11) In touch, ridden over 2f out, edged left 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 5l behind Walkonthewildside (8-11) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (D2) gf in Sept '04.