chased leaders, pushed along and went 2nd halfway, ridden and lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader and every chance over 1f out, outpaced inside final furlong, weakened to 4th final 125 yards
held up in touch, headway in centre halfway, chasing leaders and challenging when pushed left and bumped over 1f out, weakened soon after
steadied start, held up in rear, never a factor, weakened 2f out, eased
took keen hold early, chased leader until halfway, weakened 2f out, eased
led, gradually brought field to near side rail after 2f, ridden and pressed over 1f out, headed and outpaced inside final furlong, just held on for 2nd
took keen hold, held up tracking leaders, travelling well when not clear run and switched sharply left over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, ridden out
held up in last pair, switched left to centre inside final 2f, chasing leaders when pushed left and bumped over 1f out, rallied and stayed on inside final furlong, almost snatched 2nd
Caspar Netscher won this last year on the back of a victory in the Gimcrack and Heavy Metal was beaten only a head in the same race at York last month. He had Cay Verde, a subsequent winner of a Group 3 in France, a length behind and beat Master Of War when winning the Richmond Stakes before that. Cougar Ridge went close behind Lietir Mor in a Group 3 at the Curragh last time but the Irish raider will need more in this and MOOHAAJIM makes most appeal. He stepped up on his debut win at Ascot to finish a creditable fifth in the Group 1 Prix Morny behind the high-class Reckless Abandon at Deauville last month. Taayel could be anything having won his debut at Yarmouth easily, but Funk Soul Brother went backwards in the Coventry at Ascot after posting a winning debut and stablemate Lucky Beggar has plenty to find in this company.
Heavy Metal 8-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, upsides inside final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 8, hd behind Blaine (8-12) at York 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Cay Verde (8-11) won at Chantilly(FR) 5f stk, 6 ran.
Cougar Ridge (USA) 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 4th under 2f out, 3rd when switched right entering final furlong, ran on strongly closing stages, just failed, 2nd of 11, shd behind Leitir Mor (9-3) at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1).
Funk Soul Brother 20-1 (9-1) Slowly away, always in rear, 19th of 22, 14l behind Dawn Approach (9-1) at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Jun.
Lucky Beggar (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 5l behind Hoyam (8-9) at York 5f Listed stks 2yo (1) gs in Aug.
Master Of War 9-4fav (9-0) Steadied start, held up in touch in 5th, headway on outside over 2f out, disputing 2nd and every chance inside final furlong, outpaced to 3rd near finish, 3rd of 7, nk behind Fantastic Moon (9-0) at Sandown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf.
Moohaajim (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) 5th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Reckless Abandon (8-13) at Deauville(FR) 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Aug.
Taayel (IRE) 15-8fav (9-3) Close up, led approaching final furlong, pushed out, readily, won at Yarmouth 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Aug beating Living Desert (9-3) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.