prominent on outer, driven over 2f out, effort over 1f out, not quite pace to challenge, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced
tracked leader, ridden to lead just over 2f out, driven and quickened clear final furlong
led until headed just over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
pulled hard in touch, outpaced 2f out, stayed on again final furlong but never dangerous
took keen hold, prominent, driven and effort over 1f out, not pace of winner final furlong
started slowly, behind, ridden 3f out, stayed on steadily from over 1f out but not reach leaders, better for race
in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, kept on final furlong, never nearer
Valiance can give John Gosden another success in this event, with Dubai's Touch, Celtic Sultan and Pires likely to go well. With Innocent Air bringing home the bacon 12 months ago, hopes are high that the Gosden camp can strike again courtesy of Valiance who won with a bit more in hand than the head margin suggests on his Lingfield debut, having had to race wide throughout. This 130,000gns buy is entered in all the big juvenile contests this autumn as well as next year's Vodafone Derby, and this will race will go a long way to telling us whether connections' are just tilting at windmills. Mark Johnston has a strong team of two-year-olds and his challenger Dubai's Touch lines up on the back of some sterling placed efforts in Group company. Along with Pires, he brings plenty of experience with him. Celtic Sultan looked a very progressive sort at Haydock and should not be disgraced, and given the record of both Barry Hills and Richard Hannon in this event, (seven of the last 10 runnings between them), Cry Presto, Tastahil and Dubai Twilight have to be given a mention at least. For the winner we return to Valiance.
Celtic Sultan (IRE) 4-11fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon led, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jul beating Fishforcompliments (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Cry Presto (USA) 10-1 (9-3) Behind, some late headway, never dangerous, 12th of 17, 12l behind Aqmaar (9-3) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul.
Dubai's Touch 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Hamoody (9-0) at Goodwood 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf.
Pires 13-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden to dispute lead and every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, snatched 2nd post, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Satulagi (8-11) at Ascot 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Jul.
Valdan (IRE) 7-2 (8-6) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead close home, won at York 6f 2yo mdn aut (4) gf in Jul beating All You Need (8-10) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Valiance (USA) 5-1 (9-3) Started slowly, behind, chased leaders 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong to lead final strides, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) pol in Jul beating Nightinshining (9-3) by a hd, 14 ran.
Dubai Twilight Alhaarth colt out of the winning miler Eve.
Tastahil (IRE) Singspiel colt, half-brother to winners up to 1m4f including the Group 3 winner Hattan.
