slowly into stride, held up, headway halfway, ridden and weakened over 1f
held up, pushed along and headway 2f out, kept on, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
led and soon clear, driven along 2f out, held on gamely
mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
chased winner 2f, ridden to chase winner again 2f out, gaining towards finish
held up in rear, switched right over 2f out, headway on rail when not clear run over 1f out, ran on final furlong
chased leaders 5f
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, chased winner after 2f until over 2f out
stumbled start, slowly into stride, held up, not trouble leaders
chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
chased leaders 4f
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and headway from over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
Vitznau is selected here ahead of Artimino and Kafuu. Vitznau has been running with admirable consistency in these types of races of late and still looks well enough weighted to play a part in this contest. Artimino has been running well in these types of races all year. Bold Marc has dropped to just above a winning mark and might go well at a big price. Capricorn Run comes here in very good heart, having won two of his last three races and he's still well-weighted based on form of old. Course and distance winner Jedburgh discovered some old sparkle last time and can't be ruled out from his existing mark, while it is very interesting to see Jermey Noseda plunge Kafuu into handicap company after just one, albeit eyecatching, maiden win. Paper Talk comes here fresher than most and his mark does not look prohibitive, while Skhilling Spirit is more than capable of going well from his current rating and, from an in-form yard, South Cape also has to be considered despite his rising mark. Finally, first-time blinkers might spark a revival for Sir Xaar. For the selection, though, we return to Vitznau.
Paper Talk (USA) 13-2 (8-12) Tracked leader on rail, no room 2f out, switched and ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Vortex (9-6) at Nad Al Sheba 7f hcp gd in Feb.
Jedburgh 17-2 (9-5) Mid-division, headway 2f out, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd final stride, 3rd of 13, 1l behind South Cape (8-12) at Goodwood 7f hcap (2) gf in Sept.
South Cape 4-1fav (8-9) Held up, in touch progress going well over 2f out, lead over 1f out, ran on pushed out, won at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sept beating Thabaat (8-2) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Celtic Sultan (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Lead ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace along final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind South Cape (8-9) at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sept.
Vitznau (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, kept on, no extra near finish, 4th of 13, 3/4l behind King of Argos (9-12) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug.
Sir Xaar (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway on inside over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 12th of 14, 6l behind South Cape (8-9) at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sept.
Damika (IRE) 66-1 (9-4) Behind stands' side group, never a factor, 20th of 26, 13l behind Utmost Respect (9-6) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) sft in Sept.
Capricorn Run (USA) 16-1 (9-3) In touch, headway to chase leader over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 6f hcap (4) frm in Sept beating Tamagin (9-4) by 2l, 10 ran.
Guilded Warrior 20-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 8th of 13, 4l behind South Cape (8-12) at Goodwood 7f hcap (2) gf in Sept.
Johannes (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Chased leaders to halfway, last of 16, 19l behind Sierra Vista (9-3) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sept '06.
Kompete 25-1 (8-12) Raced towards centre, in rear, ridden 3f out, hampered over 1f out, 8th of 10, 5l behind Scarlet Runner (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 3yo fll Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Farleigh House (USA) 33-1 (8-4) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, no extra, kept on same pace, 10th of 30, 7l behind Eddie Jock (9-7) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Salient 2-1fav (9-4) Given easy lead, kicked on over 2f out, soon clear, driven out, unchallenged, won at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept beating Okikoki (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Purus (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Raced stands side, held up, not clear run over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead stands side group close home, no chance with far side, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Blue Java (8-7) at Folkestone 7f hcp 0-85 (4) frm in Sept.
Bahiano (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Raced towards centre, tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 6l behind Giganticus (9-11) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-105 (2) frm in Aug.
Daniella 33-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened, last of 11, 11l behind Miss Lucifer (8-10) at Ascot 7f lst fll stk (1) gs in Sept.
Kafuu (IRE) 5-2fav (9-3) Chased leaders, led on bit over 1f out, easily, won at York 6f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Oct '06 beating Run Free (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Blades Girl 25-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened and eased, last of 14, 36l behind South Cape (8-9) at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sept.
Artimino 7-4fav (9-5) Raced stand's side, in touch, headway over 1f out, ridden and hung left final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Giganticus (9-11) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-105 (2) frm in Aug.
Skhilling Spirit 50-1 (8-7) Dwelt, raced alone centre to halfway, never on terms, 18th of 28, 6l behind Advanced (9-9) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Commando Scott (IRE) 10-3fav (8-13) In touch, lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Dabbers Ridge (9-6) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Sept.
Jamieson Gold (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Not much room leaving stalls, always behind, tailed off over 2f out, 13th of 14, well behind H Harrison (8-11) at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Aug.
Barney McGrew (IRE) 17-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, 6th of 9, 7l behind Beaver Patrol (9-6) at Newbury 6f hcap (3) gf in Sept.
Bold Marc (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace, 7th of 13, 6l behind Wigwam Willie (9-3) at Ayr 1m hcap (4) sft in Sept.
