slowly into stride, soon prominent and pulled hard, weakened well over 1f out
held up in rear, pulled hard, headway approaching final furlong, soon weakened
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, never on terms
held up, never dangerous
always behind
in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, stayed on final furlong
prominent, not much room after 2f, soon mid-division, switched right and headway over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead inside final furlong
Our short list for the finale contains Ogee, Paktolos and Quince, with the selection being Ogee. Bandama is just three pounds above a winning mark; Nakheel may have been a bit disappointing behind Hattan at Ripon last time, but it was still a fair run, while last season's Ebor winner, Mudawin, has yet to build on that on Turf since. Ogee may have been well held when stepped up to Group 3 company on his last start last season but he had earlier looked progressive in handicaps, while Paktolos has looked an improved performer of late on the all-weather and holds good claims if replicating that on Turf. Quince is another that holds chances based on his best all-weather form, and he holds Bandama on earlier Turf form. Finally, Florimund and Wannabe Posh both need to improve slightly on their best for to date, although this cannot be ruled out as they race now for the first time as four-year-olds. Once again, though, for the selection we will stick with Ogee.
Futun 7-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, driven along on outside and no response over 2f out, 14th of 15, 10l behind Luberon (9-9) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Impeller (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, switched right over 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 17, 3l behind Blue Bajan (9-5) at Epsom 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Apr.
Finalmente 10-1 (9-8) Held up, headway 6f out, ridden 3f out, weakened and eased over 1f out, 27th of 31, 46l behind Detroit City (9-1) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcap (2) gs in Oct.
Bandama (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Held up in touch, driven to challenge over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 13l behind Novellara (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in Sept.
Nakheel 4-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, driven over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Hattan (9-7) at Ripon 1m 2f stk (3) gf in Apr.
Mudawin (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Held up and keen, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 6l behind Charlie Tokyo (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
Ogee 15-2 (9-1) Held up last, ridden straight, no headway, 10th of 11, 8l behind Soapy Danger (9-1) at Ascot 2m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Paktolos (FR) 2-1fav (9-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, driven to challenge well over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Kames Park (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Quince (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, driven and no headway final 2f, 11th of 15, 9l behind Luberon (9-9) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Florimund 8-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 9l behind Millville (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (3) pol in Oct.
Wannabe Posh (IRE) 13-2 (9-10) Held up, headway over 3f out, chased winner from over 2f out, stayed on well, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Piety (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 4f fll hcp (3) gs in Oct.
