led, slightly outpaced when headed over 2f out, soon ridden, rallied inside final furlong, ran on, not reach winner
tracked leader, going best when shaken up to lead over 2f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong
keen, raced in last, outpaced 3f out, ridden 2f out, ran on to take third inside final furlong, never a factor
held up in behind leaders, shaken up to challenge over 2f out, soon every chance, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, lost third closing stages
The Gosdens’ yard bid to win this for the third time in a row and JUDITH made a winning debut over today’s distance at Ascot last month. An apprentice’s allowance negates most of today’s penalty and she can go in again. Al Nafir steps up in trip on the back of scoring at Kempton while Mountain Road lost a shoe at Doncaster on his debut and will likely improve. Swashbuckler returns to action having failed to threaten over 7f last season.
Al Nafir (IRE) 1-2fav (9-5) Raced wide early, soon tracking leader, went 2nd 5f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, strongly pressed towards finish, edged left towards finish, stayed on gamely, won at Kempton 1m stks (5) pol in Nov beating Kaasirr (9-5) by hd, 12 ran.
Judith 13-2 (9-2) Went left start, held up in rear, smooth headway out wide went 2nd over 1f out, just pushed along to lead final 100 yards, bit in hand, won at Ascot 1m 2f mdn fll stks (4) gd in May beating Wonderful Times (9-2) by 1l, 9 ran.
Mountain Road (FR) 80-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, shaken up in 6th inside final 2f, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Warren Point (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f stks (5) gd in Jun.
Swashbuckler 4-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 11 1/4l behind Audience (9-0) at Newmarket 7f stks (4) gd in Oct.
