held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, faded inside final furlong
dwelt in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
held up, smooth headway over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, stormed clear, impressive
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
prominent, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
keen prominent, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
This Group 1 was a good guide to the following year's classics in the Nineties but it's lost a little of its sparkle in recent years. Godolphin has won it in three of the last five years, however, and has a strong candidate again in Promising Run, who stayed on strongly to land the Rockfel Stakes over 7f here two weeks ago when Hawksmoor was only third. John Gosden has won it four times, though not since 2008. He'll be hoping that the unbeaten Nathra can end his barren spell and her form stands up to scrutiny, though she has yet to race on anything but soft ground. Aidan O'Brien is bidding for a fourth win in the contest and holds a strong hand with two runners. Minding will almost certainly start favourite having won the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh last month ahead of stablemate Ballydoyle. But we'll take her on with the Galileo filly COOLMORE, who is just coming to the boil judged on her maiden win at the Curragh and will relish the extra furlong here. Beautiful Morning is a promising sort and looks best of the rest, though Marenko will almost certainly run her race again.
Beautiful Morning 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, led narrowly 2f out, soon edged right, ridden and hard pressed from over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish, won at York 7f mdn stks (2) gs in Aug beating Very Talented (9-5) by 1l, 18 ran.
Coolmore (IRE) 5-2fav (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, under pressure in 5th and slightly hampered 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on well final furlong, drifted slightly left, led close home, won at Curragh 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) Good - Yielding in Sep beating Anamba (9-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Dawn Of Hope (IRE) Evensfav (9-0) Tracked leading pair on inside, switched out over 2f out, 2nd 2f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Ascot 1m mdn fll stks (4) gs in Sep beating Alyssa (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Dessertoflife (IRE) (8-11) won at Baden-Baden 7f Grp 3 gd in Sep beating Shy Witch (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Hawksmoor (IRE) 11-8fav (9-0) Held up, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Promising Run (9-0) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 fll stks (1) gd in Sep.
Marenko 10-1 (9-0) Led, ridden inside final furlong, headed last 100 yards, no extra, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Turret Rocks (9-0) at Doncaster 1m Grp 2 fll stks (1) gd in Sep.
Minding (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Dwelt, took keen hold and soon prominent in 2nd, pushed along 2f out, challenged final furlong, led inside final 100yds and stayed on well, won at Curragh 7f Grp 1 fll stks (1) gd in Sep beating Ballydoyle (9-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Nathra (IRE) 8-11fav (9-1) Keen tracked leaders, led over 1f out, shaken up inside final furlong, soon clear, eased towards finish, comfortable, won at Newbury 7f fll stks (2) sft in Sep beating Alqubbah (9-1) by 7l, 5 ran.
Opal Tiara (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Turret Rocks (9-0) at Doncaster 1m Grp 2 fll stks (1) gd in Sep.
Promising Run (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Tracked clear leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 fll stks (1) gd in Sep beating Thetis (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
