raced in 4th and off the strong pace, headway to 3rd and switched left 3f out, tracked leader over 2f out, ridden to challenge and every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
led at strong pace and soon clear, 8 lengths ahead over 4f out, weakened rapidly and headed over 2f out, soon tailed off
tracked clear leader, closed over 3f out, led over 2f out, stayed on well until headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong
held up in 6th and well off the strong pace, headway and switched left over 3f out, tracked leading pair over 2f out, effort on rails over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, comfortably
raced in 3rd off strong pace, ridden 2f out, soon beaten
raced in 5th off strong pace, pushed along over 3f out, soon struggling
went laft start, held up in rear, made some late modest headway, never in contention
held up in 8th and well off the strong pace, hampered on rail well over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
always behind
This is less exacting than the two tasks that faced LUNAR VICTORY last season so he's put forwards ahead of Deauville Post and Usailaan amongst others. John Gosden sent out the winner of this race last year and has another strong candidate in Lunar Victory who showed promise in abundance in a conditions race on debut. He, arguably, failed to build on that run at Newbury next time but the winner went on to finish a fair fourth in the Racing Post Trophy whilst the second won next time so the form looks solid enough. Deauville Post has the benefit of a run under his belt but he has had quite a few chances now and could be vulnerable to a rival with more scope for improvement. Theology falls into that category and he did show promise on debut before failing to run his race on his only subsequent outing. Usailaan is the first foal of a middle distance winner who is from a smart family and it will be interesting to see what the market makes of his chance but preference is for Lunar Victory.
Awsaal 14-1 (9-0) Went left start, raced far side in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 18, 8l behind Quick Wit (9-0) at Newmarket 7f mdn stks (4) gd in Oct.
Cape D'or (IRE) 6-4 (9-3) Steadied at start and held up, headway over 2f out, driven over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Layali Al Andalus (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Deauville Post (FR) 8-11fav (9-3) Set steady pace, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Gomrath (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (4) pol in Mar.
Desert Myth (USA) Smart Strike colt out of Colonella.
Lunar Victory (USA) 15-8 (9-3) Close up in centre, effort to chase leaders 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 16, 5l behind Dancing David (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Out Of Eden 9-2 (9-3) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 13, 12l behind Gardening Leave (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Sarbaaz (IRE) Dubawi colt out of Bahr Alsalaam.
Theology 13-2 (9-3) Always in rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression from over 2f out, last of 13, 30l behind Invincible Soul (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Usailaan Dubai Destination colt out of Mohafazaat.
Kathleen Frances 100-1 (8-12) Dwelt, in rear, ridden 3f out, never nearer, 7th of 11, 8l behind Bullet Train (9-3) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
