tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up, driven and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up, headway over 1f out, shaken up inside final furlong, nearest finish
behind, pushed along halfway, some late headway, never nearer
held up, headway over 2f out, hung left from over 1f out, led well inside final furlong
chased leaders, headway when hampered over 1f out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace
always prominent, led over 2f out, soon hung left, headed an no extra well inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakening when hampered over 1f out
chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace
The vote here goes Malahem, with others shortlisted being Diamond Diggins, Roman Villa, Scottish Play, Perfectionist and River Mist Image. The John Gosden-trained Malahem is related to some good winners including Muhtathir, and is also out of a high-class mare. Accordingly, in a race that lacks great strength in depth, it would seem, he gets the call. The German raider Diamond Diggins is a little hard to assess but, having been placed at Listed level, has to be afforded respect, but despite stepping up in trip, Leighton Buzzard has something to prove at present. However, at a return to tonight's trip, Roman Villa, who showed plenty of promise on his debut before flopping over further last time, has to be granted consideration. Others to consider, are the Montjeu gelding Primondo, the Gerard Butler-trained Scottish Play, who is better than his debut finishing position might suggest, Artful Whisper, who might improve for his debut now that his stable is in better form, the In The Wings filly Perfectionist, and River Mist Image, who has shown enough ability on the track to be considered, while a good run from Star Rising is not a forlorn possibility. Overall, though, unless the market vibe is negative, we will side with Malahem.
Diamond Diggins (GER) 11-2 (8-11) 3rd of 4, 7l behind Kartago (9-2) at Baden-Baden 1m1f sft Listed in May.
Leighton Buzzard 11-1 (9-0) Mid-division, stayed on approaching final furlong, not trouble leaders, 4th of 12, 7l behind Grigorovitch (9-0) at W'hampton 5f 2yo mdn (D3) pol in Nov.
Malahem (IRE) Mark of Esteem gelding, half-brother to several winners including top-class 7f-1m winner Muhtathir.
Primondo (IRE) Montjeu gelding, half-brother to 3 winners over 6f & 7f.
Roman Villa (USA) 2-1fav (8-12) Chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 10, 17l behind One To Win (8-7) at Windsor 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gf in Jun.
Scottish Play (IRE) 40-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, tailed off in rear, no headway final 2f, 12th of 14, 6l behind Dahman (9-0) at Windsor 1m 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Soufah (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 14, 30l behind Pinpoint (8-12) at Doncaster 1m mdn stk (5) gd.
Artful Whisper (USA) 16-1 (8-8) Started slowly, behind, some headway and hung left from over 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 11l behind Strawberry Leaf (8-8) at Haydock 1m mdn stk (5) gf in Jun.
Golden Applause (FR) 25-1 (8-1) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 6l behind Sweet Coincidence (8-2) at Chepstow 6f 2yo mdn aut (E) gf.
Ngauruhoe (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Led, hung badly left over 2f out, soon headed and eased, 5th of 7, 11l behind Code Orange (8-9) at Lingfield 6f mdn stk (5) gf in Jun.
Perfectionist In The Wings filly out of a moderate racemare.
River Mist Image (USA) 8-1 (8-9) Held up rear, headway 2f out, ridden to chase leaders soon after, weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 9l behind Dansili Dancer (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Secretive Dancer (IRE) 66-1 (8-11) Dwelt, always towards rear, 13th of 14, 19l behind Almost Innocent (8-11) at Windsor 1m 3yo mdn fll (5) gf.
Star Rising Most Welcome filly, full sister to 1m2f winner Star Welcome.
Par Jeu 11-2 (8-11) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened, 10th of 16, 7l behind Park Law (8-11) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn fll (D) gf in Jul '04.
