raced freely early and led after 1f, headed approaching final furlong, stayed on gamely
held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
held up, weakened over 2f out
held up, never on terms
held up in touch, pushed along and headway over 2f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
tracked leaders, led approaching final furlong, headed inside and stayed on same pace
led 1f, remained with leader, ridden over 2f out, weakening when hampered over 1f out
held up, headway over 2f out, soon every chance, kept on same pace
Nonrunner
The interesting runner here is Portrayal, whose juvenile form would give her an outstanding chance of success if she is fit and firing after such a long absence. With that far from certain, we will side with La Persiana, who can score from Asawer and Polar Jem. The selection has to defy a penalty for wins in this company at Salisbury and Yarmouth this season, and was out of her depth in a Group 2 at The Curragh last time. However, the drop back in grade will see her to much better effect, and she looks capable of perhaps grabbing a Group 3 win before her career is out, so we take her class to show here. Asawer is another interesting contender, whose pilot Richard Hills suggests is not an easy ride. Her third in the Group 2 John Doyle last time appears to give her every chance at the weights, but the suspicion is that 10 furlongs is her optimum trip and for that reason we oppose. Strictly on the book, she also has a fair bit to find with Polar Jem on their running here in July. Polar Jem gave her 15lb and a half length beating in that Listed contest, and given that she has a 10lb pull here, she should, in theory, uphold that form, especially with the confidence of a recent win under her belt. But La Persiana is game and consistent and she will do for us.
La Persiana 7-1 (9-3) Close 2nd, 3rd early straight, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 11, 4l behind Red Bloom (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 2 gd in Sept.
High Reserve 6-4fav (9-13) Held up, headway 3f out, edged left over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jul beating Parnassian (9-10) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Jath 28-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, switched right over 2f out, kept on, never nearer, 6th of 9, 3l behind Asawer (8-6) at Yarmouth 1m 2f lst fll stk (1) gf in Sept.
Alumni 16-1 (8-6) In touch, hampered over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 20l behind Ouija Board (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept.
Asawer (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Held up, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Ouija Board (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept.
Five Fields (USA) 11-4 (8-10) Made all, ridden along and quickened well over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Bath 1m 2f mdn fll (5) frm in Sept beating Zeeba (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Natalie Jane (IRE) 7-2 (8-8) Chased leader, ridden over 4f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 10, 9l behind Kastoria (9-4) at York 1m 4f lst fll stk (1) gf in Aug.
Portrayal (USA) 18-1 (8-11) In touch, no impression on leaders from 2f out, 5th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Divine Proportions (8-11) at Longchamp 1m 2yo fll Grp 1 gd in Oct '04.
Royal Alchemist 100-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Kinnaird (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gs.
Shohrah (IRE) 9-2 (8-6) Pulled hard, held up, ridden 3f out, no impression, 7th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Asawer (8-6) at Yarmouth 1m 2f lst fll stk (1) gf in Sept.
Zayn Zen 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, led narrowly well inside final furlong, headed and not pace of winner close home, 2nd of 14, nk behind Blue Torpedo (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Polar Jem 14-1 (9-3) Made all, driven 2f out, in command over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Windsor 1m 4f lst fll stk (1) gd beating Red Peony (8-7) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Winds of Time (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Always behind, 11th of 17, 7l behind Salamanca (8-11) at Newmarket 1m lst fll hcp (1) gd in Sept.
