tracked clear leader, closer 10f out, dropped to 3rd halfway, 2nd again 4f out, led 3f out, ridden and hung right inside final furlong, headed and no extra towards finish
slowly into stride and went right start, held up off the pace in 4th, closer in 3rd 8f out, 2nd 7f out until 4f out, chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, soon weakened
held up off the pace in last, steady headway 3f out to track leaders over 2f out, went 3rd entering final 2f, ridden and no chance with leading duo over 1f out
led set good pace and soon clear, came back to the field 10f out, brought field centre in straight, pushed along and headed 3f out, weakened and behind over 2f out
held up off the pace in 3rd and 4th, pushed along 5f out, headway near side of group over 3f out, went 2nd entering final 2f, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, led towards finish
Morando had little chance behind Enable in the King George at Ascot last time but won the Ormonde over today’s trip at Chester back in May for which he’s penalised. He still has plenty in hand on these terms with the progressive handicappers Sextant and Durston, though Technician has a shout at the weights. However, the latter has come up short at this level on a couple of occasions now so a chance is taken on SAMEEM showing further progress. James Tate’s colt beat the higher-rated Persian Moon easily enough in a Listed race at Hamilton last time and this extra distance should suit judged on the manner of his victory.
Morando (FR) 66-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, towards rear, reminders 5f out, never a factor, tailed off, 8th of 11, 33 3/4l behind Enable (9-4) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Jul.
Sextant 5-4fav (9-12) Made all, quickened over 3f out, hard driven over 1f out, held on well, won at Ascot 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Jul beating Almost Midnight (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Durston 13-2 (8-8) Steadied start, raced keenly in last pair, good headway between horses over 2f out, ridden and went 2nd approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 13, nk behind Sir Ron Priestley (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Sameem (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Made all, steadied pace 6f out, quickened pace 3f out, ridden and ran on, won at Hamilton 1m 3f lst stks (1) sft in Jul beating Persian Moon (9-5) by 3l, 6 ran.
Technician (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, lost place 7f out, wide and headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 6 1/4l behind Nayef Road (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
