prominent, went 2nd 6f out, led over 4f out, headed 3f out, kept on again inside final furlong
soon led, headed after 3f, stayed handy, ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out
in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
keen hold, in touch until weakened 3f out
uneased installs, slowly away and always behind
keen hold, close up, led 3f out, narrowly headed over 2f out, stayed challenging until no extra inside final furlong, lost 2nd last stride
slow into stride, soon recovered into mid-division, driven along and edged left from 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd last stride, no chance with winner
slow into stride, behind, stayed on final 2f, never troubled leaders
in touch until weakened over 2f out
in touch, challenged from 3f out, driven to lead approaching 2f out, stayed on well
slow into stride, behind, some headway when hampered over 2f out, soon weakened
behind, headway on rails from over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never going pace to trouble leaders
prominent, led after 3f, headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
pulled hard in mid-division, stayed on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
Ameeq is the selection here, although the likes of Beauchamp Tiger, Escollier, Great Orator and Reasonable Story are among those that have to be considered too. Ameeq is the highest rated of these to have achieved a rating, and he was beaten only a head at Nottingham last time. Much as he has not raced on soft yet, he could improve for it on breeding and has to be respected. Beauchamp Tiger should arguably have won at Lingfield last time, having been set too much to do and he is entitled to consideration too, while Amanda Perrett's Escollier, a half brother to, among others, Defining and recent juvenile winner Queen's Pudding, catches the eye on breeding. Great Orator is a major player based on his debut Windsor second while Intend To Leave, being a half-brother to, among others, the Derby winner Oath, has to be considered on breeding. Top Man Tee has put in a couple of fair efforts on his last two runs and gets a reasonable shout, while Richard Hannon's Xacebeo cost 50,000 euros as a yearling and is one to watch in the betting. Finally, Reasonable Story is a half sister to to the top-class Necklace, hails from a good stable and cost 220,000 guineas, so is another to be given a good shout, and Thunder Calling showed promise on her six-furlong debut but, much as today's trip will suit a lot better, she has not been seen since that May 2004 effort. Overall, then, we will give the vote to Ameeq.
Ameeq (USA) 3-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on well towards finish, just held close home, 2nd of 11, hd behind Play Me (8-9) at Nottingham 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gd.
Beauchamp Tiger 12-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, headway from 2f out, strong run final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Gambling Spirit (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 5f mdn stk (5) pol in Sept.
Cape Enterprise (USA) 10-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden 3f out, no impression on leaders, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 14l behind Papality (8-9) at Bath 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gf.
Channel Crossing 7-1 (9-0) Slowly away, detached in rear, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 4th of 6, 8l behind Our Choice (9-0) at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Sept.
Escoffier Entrepreneur gelding, half-brother to 4 winners including useful stayer Defining.
Great Orator (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway 3f out, chased winner inside final 2f, challenged final furlong, just held, 2nd of 17, hd behind Breathing Fire (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gd.
Intend To Leave (IRE) Dubai Millennium colt, half-brother to numerous winners including the top-class pair Oath and Pelder.
Kyles Prince (IRE) In The Wings gelding out of winning miler Comprehension.
Pekan One 14-1 (9-0) Prominent over 7f, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Zeeba (8-9) at Brighton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gs.
Top Man Tee 11-10fav (9-0) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out to chase winner final furlong, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Princelet (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gd.
War Feather 100-1 (8-10) Started slowly, always in rear, some headway under pressure halfway, soon weakened and well behind final 3f, last of 14, 39l behind Gambling Spirit (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 5f mdn stk (5) pol in Sept.
Xacobeo (IRE) Montjeu colt, half-brother to 2 winners on the Flat.
Another Mistress Slip Anchor filly out of a moderate racemare.
Remarkable Story Mark of Esteem filly, half-sister to the top-class juvenile filly Necklace.
Thunder Calling (USA) 3-1fav (8-11) With leaders, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2l behind Heres The Plan (8-11) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn fll (D) gf in May '04.
Grande Roche (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Prominent, ridden to chase winner well over 1f out, stayed on but well held inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Papality (8-9) at Bath 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gf.
