soon pressing leader, led 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, edged left and headed towards finish
led, pushed along and headed 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
went right start, held up, effort over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, switched left over 4f out, pushed along over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong to lead towards finish
towards rear, pushed along and headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, edged left, stayed on inside final furlong
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, soon in touch, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, always in rear, weakened over 2f out
Esaar probably has the best form among those to have raced previously having found Najd just a length too good on his debut in a Newbury maiden in August and he has to be respected but there are some interesting newcomers in the line up and it may be worth siding with TOTAL COMMAND, who gets the verdict ahead of Azimuth. Jeremy Noseda's son of Giant¿s Causeway is bred to be useful and comes from a yard that is more than capable of getting one ready first time up so he has to be considered. Richard Hannon's Invincible Soul has the edge on experience but has been well held in both starts so far and of more interest may be Gerard Butler's Swiss Cross, who should appreciate the step up in trip but he may prefer a softer surface. Sir Michael Stoute's Mushreq ran promisingly when a close fourth behind Ameer here last time and he has claims but, with Richard Hills partnering Esaar, he looks the second best of Hamdan Al Maktoum's two runners and preference is for another Stoute runner Total Command. Beautifully bred being by Sadler's Wells out of a top class filly Wince, the colt has yet to see the racecourse but if he is anywhere near as good as he is bred to be, he should take plenty of beating.
Esaar (USA) 9-2 (9-3) In touch, effort over 1f out, shaken up, stayed on well, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Najd (9-3) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
Invincible Soul (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Keen hold in mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon shaken up and weakened, 8th of 11, 10l behind Pounced (9-3) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
Mushreq (USA) 4-1 (9-0) Went right start, tracked leaders, every chance well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 7l behind Ameer (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
Swiss Cross 10-3 (9-3) Mid-division, pushed along after 2f, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Wellington Fair (9-3) at Sandown 5f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sep.
Tartan Trip 11-2 (9-3) Slowly away, towards rear, kept on final 2f, never able to challenge, 4th of 10, 12l behind Haltela (9-3) at York 6f 2yo mdn (3) gd in Jun.
Total Command Sadler's Wells colt out of Wince.
Toy Razor (IRE) Refuse To Bend colt out of Child Prodigy.
Indigo Ink Rock Of Gibraltar filly out of Blue Indigo.
Azimuth (USA) Giant's Causeway colt out of Zoe Montana.
