chased leader 3f, remained prominent, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, led and hung left from over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
soon led, took keen hold, headed over 1f out, hampered inside final furlong, no extra
led early, soon steadied into rear, hung left over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, not reached winner
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, every chance 1f out, not quicken well inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
Disappointingly just the five runners line up for the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes but there is plenty of quality on show including the unbeaten pair of Arctic and Awzaan but there was plenty to like about the way that John Gosden's SHOWCASING won the Gimcrack last time, keeping on well after leading two furlongs out, and he can follow up. Arctic has been good value for his recent wins at the Curragh but they have both been under testing conditions and it remains to be seen whether he can reproduce a similar level of form on the faster ground today. Mark Johnston's Awzaan has shown improvement with each start, winning the Mill Reef Stakes in good fashion at Newbury last month, and he has solid claims under Richard Hills. Brian Meehan's Radiohead has a bit to find with Awzaan on running at Newbury and a bigger threat may come from Poet's Voice. Saeed bin Suroor's colt was narrowly beaten in the Acomb Stakes prior to winning the Champagne Stakes last time and he too has to be respected but it is Showcasing that looks the one they have to beat.
Arctic (IRE) 11-8fav (9-1) Always prominent, led travelling easily over 2f out, soon clear, stayed on strongly final furlong, impressive, won at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 3 hvy in Aug beating Air Chief Marshal (9-1) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Awzaan 11-4 (9-1) Held up, smooth headway towards near side over 2f out, led and edged left inside final 2f, kept on strongly, ridden out, won at Newbury 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Sep beating Angel's Pursuit (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Poet's Voice 11-8fav (8-12) Made all, raced freely, edged left inside final 2f, ridden inside final furlong, held on well, won at Doncaster 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Sep beating Viscount Nelson (8-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Radiohead 5-4fav (9-4) Held up last, headway on far side over 2f out, led briefly just inside final 2f, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 3l behind Awzaan (9-1) at Newbury 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Sep.
Showcasing 2-1fav (8-12) Held up, travelled strongly, headway 2f out, ridden to lead just over 1f out, ran on well, won at York 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug beating Taajub (8-12) by 2l, 6 ran.
