tracked leaders, every chance from over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on
raced wide in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on towards finish
held up, weakened over 1f out
slow into stride always in rear
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, ran on, nearest finish
This valuable contest has been won by a fancied runner in each of the three previous renewals so it pays to follow the form book. We are not looking beyond impressive Carlisle winner NIMR (NAP), who is from a very successful family and already has an entry in next year's Irish 2000 Guineas. He has more scope than stablemate First To Post and Seastrom. The Godolphin entry will appreciate dropping back in trip after failing to stay a mile at Salisbury however. Fashionable Spirit seems better over 5f but there is more to come from Doncaster fifth Fashaak and Gorokai looks to be improving. He makes more appeal than Kempton winner Zhui Feng.
Nimr 11-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders and always going well, led over 1f out, pushed clear, easily, won at Carlisle 6f mdn stks (5) sft in Aug beating Cheeky Angel (9-0) by 3 1/4l, 12 ran.
Seastrom 14-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway into 3rd over 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, weakened into 4th close home, 4th of 6, 8 1/2l behind Ventura Storm (9-5) at Salisbury 1m stks (4) sft in Sep.
Zhui Feng (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Made all, clear when shaken up inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Sep beating Marsha (9-0) by 1l, 11 ran.
Fashaak (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 8, 8 1/2l behind Very Talented (9-5) at Doncaster 1m mdn stks (3) gd in Sep.
First To Post (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Close up, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 8 1/4l behind Fast And Furious (9-2) at Hamilton 6f (2) gs in Sep.
Pericles (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Close up on outer, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 11 1/2l behind Muntazah (9-5) at Leicester 7f mdn stks (4) gd in Sep.
Fashionable Spirit (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Held up, effort 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, last of 19, 13 3/4l behind Nemoralia (9-7) at Doncaster 6f fll (2) gd in Sep.
Gorokai (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Tracked leading trio, went 3rd inside final 2f, ridden and one pace over 1f out, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Stamp Hill (9-5) at Chester 6f mdn stks (4) sft in Sep.
Kylea (IRE) 7-2fav (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, plugged on, no threat, 7th of 10, 10l behind Robanne (9-0) at Salisbury 7f mdn fll stks (3) sft in Sep.
Hillside Dream (IRE) 6-1fav (9-0) Disputed lead until ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Thetis (9-0) at Carlisle 7f mdn fll stks (5) gf in Sep.
