held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and edge left over 1f out, ran on not reach winner
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, not clear run well over 1f out, soon switched right, ridden and ran on final furlong, not reach leaders
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on
in touch, effort when not clear run and hampered over 1f out, not recover
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen, tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on
led after 4f, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon outpaced
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakening when not much room over 1f out
prominent, lead over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led 4f, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly
in touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Alamshar, Nayef and Russian Rhythm are the obvious three here with our vote just going to Alamshar. The John Oxx-trained colt is the only horse to have beaten Dalakhani this year, when winning the Irish Derby, and also has a third in the Vodafone Derby to his name. Admittedly, he ran disappointingly in the Irish Champion Stakes last time, but he was up against some top-class opponents that day. And he will be here, with the admirable Nayef, who won this race two years ago), among his opponents. Like Alamshar, he likes fast going and this will be his last race before going to stud. Unlike Alamshar, though, this nine-time winner has performed at the highest level over the course of three seasons. He can list a Champion Stakes, a Dubai Sheema Classic, a Juddmonte International Stakes and a Prince Of Wales's Stakes on his equine CV and a win in his final race would be hugely popular. The 1,000 Guineas winner, and three-time Group 1 scorer, Russian Rhythm, will be around next year and that's a thought to savour. Put in her place over a mile by the excellent Falbrav at Ascot last time, she lost little in defeat there and is entitled to run well if at her best. Add to the line-up the Danish champion Dano-Mast, the enigmatic Indian Creek (who was third in this race in 2001), the Eclipse third and Arlington Million runner-up Kaieteur, Italian champion Rakti, the Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Indian Haven - who is trying this trip for the first time, and Godolphin's Grand Prix de Paris winner, Vespone, then, once again, you have a race to warm the cool autumn breeze. With three-year-olds having won 13 of the last 22 runnings of this race - as opposed to seven four-year-olds and two five-year-olds - we will side with Alamshar to land the Champion Stakes.
