tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3f out, weakened 2f out, soon eased, tailed off
mid-division on outside, ridden and lost place over 3f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, outpaced 3f out, weakened 2f out, soon eased
tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden and one pace
led, headed over 4f out, pressed leader, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 3f out, never on terms
with leader, led over 4f out, headed 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure final furlong, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong
held up, driven and headway over 3f out, ridden and effort 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, soon one pace
held up in rear, smooth headway to lead 2f out, ridden clear final furlong, comfortably
The biggest field for a renewal since The Whistling Teal's win in 2002 and a tricky puzzle to solve; With Clowance heading to France on Sunday instead of taking up this engagement, we'll side with TASTAHIL ahead of Harbinger. Harbinger was a warm order at York when last seen but things didn't go to plan. If he is back to his best following that unexplained poor display on the Knavesmire, then this Group Three winner should run well. He wears a tongue strap for the first time.Three-year-old's have a decent record in the race so the filly High Heeled is not one to discount, along the progressive colt Chock A Block who is of interest despite his lack of experience in fields bigger than six runners. All The Aces was below par when beaten into fifth in the Irish St. Leger (behind the selection). Drill Sergeant is a battler but probably not up to this level, but the selection is Tastahil who is a course winner and this son of Singspiel should appreciate the drop in trip this afternoon. At a price the (relative) old-timers Young Mick and Halicarnassus are likely to give their running, especially the latter who wasn't disgraced in an Italian Group One the other day.
Halicarnassus (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) 4th of 6, 5l behind Schiaparelli (9-4) at San Siro(ITY) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gs.
Enroller (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) 6th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Jukebox Jury (8-11) at Cologne(GER) 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Sep.
Illustrious Blue 16-1 (9-3) Slow into stride, held up in rear, headway final furlong, never near leaders, 7th of 12, 6l behind Mawatheeq (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gf in Sep.
All The Aces (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Soon mid-division, moderate 5th and no extra under pressure from over 3f out, 5th of 8, 26l behind Alandi (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 1 sft in Sep.
Drill Sergeant 11-8fav (9-0) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, ran on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 4, shd behind Chock A Block (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gf.
Merchant Of Dubai 9-2 (10-0) Soon in touch, went 3rd 5f out, ridden to lead narrowly over 2f out, driven over 1f out, headed and kept on well inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, nk behind Braveheart Move (9-1) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sep.
Tastahil (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders in 4th, effort to track leading pair over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Geordieland (9-2) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in May.
Harbinger 13-8fav (8-12) Soon mid-division, under pressure and weakened well over 2f out, last of 7, 28l behind Monitor Closely (8-12) at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
Chock A Block (IRE) 7-4 (8-7) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, just held on, won at Newmarket 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gf beating Drill Sergeant (9-0) by shd, 4 ran.
Heliodor (USA) 14-1 (8-10) Soon led, made rest, ridden over 2f out, held on well towards finish, won at Kempton 1m 2f stks (3yo+) (3) pol in Sep beating Wasan (9-4) by nk, 10 ran.
High Heeled (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Dwelt, held up, ridden and headway 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Ashalanda (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 4f fll stks G2 (1) gd.
Young Mick 12-1 (9-4) In touch, driven over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on final furlong, 7th of 19, 8l behind Opinion Poll (8-10) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gs.
Clowance 25-1 (9-8) Towards rear, closed from over 4f out, ridden in moderate 3rd from over 2f out, closed from over 1f out, challenged and on terms inside final furlong, headed and kept without matching winner close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Alandi (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 1 sft in Sep.
