led and overall leader, headed over 3f out, edged left and led again over 1f out, ran on
raced centre, held up, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
raced centre, held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced stands side, led that group, overall leader over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, raced stand side, held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced centre, switched stand side after 2f, held up well in rear, not clear run over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong
raced stand side, chased leaders, ridden well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
very slowly away, tailed off throughout
raced stand side, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, slightly out paced over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
raced centre, keen, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
keen, raced centre, switched stand side after 2f, tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
raced stand side, in touch, pushed along halfway, kept on final furlong
Nonrunner
Something wasn't right with Thebes last time and he must not be overlooked here, however Masai Moon has been running well of late and deserves another win; Swift Gift joins Slugger O' Toole on the shortlist. The last-named must be a serious threat as he bounced back to form in style in a better race last time. It is not so much the 6lb rise in the weights which worries but the fact that he has disappointed on very quick ground before and would probably want a drop of rain. Instead then we side with Masai Moon. He has been running consistently well of late and his run behind Laa Rayb in the International Stakes looks solid. Previously a course and distance winner on quick ground he should give a good account. Jeninsky is consistent but she has been kept to softer surfaces recently, Kafuu is talented but has wizened up to his cheek-pieces, whilst Plum Pudding is well-treated on old form but terribly out of form. Swift Gift is consistent and deserves a crack at this company for the first time; he steps out of three-year-old races today and has a bit to find with Slugger O' Toole on their clash back in May. A competitive contest and we will side with MASAI MOON.
Plum Pudding (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Chased leaders until 2f out, eased when beaten, last of 25, well behind Laa Rayb (9-7) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gf in Jul.
Masai Moon 7-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway when not clear run over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Perfect Flight (8-10) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) sft in Sept.
Slugger O'Toole 20-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, headway 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, kept on well, won at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp (2) sft in Sept beating Harrison George (8-7) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Thebes 14-1 (9-7) Switched right to chase leaders stands' side group, hung left over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 27, 29l behind Against The Grain (9-0) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) hvy in Sept.
Golden Desert (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) In touch stand side, ridden over 1f out, kept on to lead group inside final furlong, 5th of 29, 1 1/2l behind Furnace (8-11) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gd in Sept.
Flipando (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Towards rear stand side, never dangerous, 14th of 29, 6l behind Furnace (8-11) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gd in Sept.
Sir Xaar (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, no impression, 7th of 11, 6l behind Keep Discovering (9-5) at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Aug.
Kafuu (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Mid-divisiion, effort 3f out, hung left over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 11l behind Keep Discovering (9-5) at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Aug.
Orchard Supreme 12-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no headway, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 15l behind Siberian Tiger (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 1f hcap (2) sft in Sept.
Wasp (AUS) Won three times from 15 starts in Japan but his last win was in March 2006 and he would not be of interest on his British debut unless attracting significant support in the betting market.
Lodi (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Prominent, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong but always held, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Elysee Palace (9-3) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Countdown 9-1 (9-11) Behind, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, last of 8, 15l behind Amicus Meus (9-1) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug.
Somnus 33-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 10l behind Arabian Gleam (9-4) at Doncaster 7f Yorks Oaks (1) sft in Sept.
Swift Gift 6-1 (9-7) Behind, not clear run approaching 2f out on inside, switched left over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 10, 3l behind Stevie Thunder (8-12) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Jun.
King's Bastion (IRE) 15-2 (8-8) In rear, never dangerous, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 9th of 12, 6l behind South Cape (8-9) at Goodwood 7f hcap (2) sft in Sept.
Jeninsky (USA) 9-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Myanmar (8-9) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Sept.
Dingaan (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 6l behind Diriculous (8-13) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Aug.