held up and behind, no chance when eased well over 2f out
in touch on outside, ridden and weakened 6f out
held up, ridden 4f out, headway over 3f out, chasing leaders over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
in rear, slightly hampered 11f out, some headway over 4f out, weakened 3f out, eased 2f out
held up, pushed along 4f out, no headway, eased well over 1f out
held up, headway on inside over 3f out, not clear run well over 2f out, stayed on to go 4th inside final furlong, no impression on leading trio
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, edged right over 11f out, ridden 4f out, weakened entering final furlong
raced keenly, soon prominent, pushed along 6f out, weakened over 4f out, virtually pulled up
in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out
in rear, ridden 5f out, no real impression, no chance well over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway going well from 5f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well
held up mid-division, steady headway on outside from over 4f out, chased leaders 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up, no much room over 6f out, some headway inside final 2f, never dangerous
mid-division, not clear run over 3f out, switched left well over 1f out, progress after, never troubled leaders
slowly into stride, held up, ridden and struggling over 4f out
mid-division, hampered 11f out, headway on inside over 5f out, not clear run from 4f out until pulled out left over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace
in rear, behind final 5f
held up, pulled out left 3f out, headway well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway over 5f out, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, effort 3f out and soon pressing leaders, weakened over 1f out
in rear, bumped slightly over 6f out, ridden 3f out, no headway
raced in close 2nd until 11f out, 2nd again over 6f out until over 2f out, soon squeezed out, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, driven 4f out, headway when not clear run over 2f out, switched left, stayed on one pace
mid-division, in touch halfway, ridden when not clear run 4f out, weakened 2f out
led, ridden over 4f out headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
behind, pushed along 6f out, stayed on passed beaten horses inside final 2f, never dangerous
mid-division, not clear run lost place and outpaced 6f out, no impression after
prominent, 2nd over 11f out until over 6f out, weakened 5f out
soon in touch, hampered on inside 11f out and lost place, ridden over 4f out, behind final 3f
raced keenly in mid-division, behind final 5f
Always a tough puzzle to solve but narrow preference this year is for Al Eile ahead of Samurai Way and Fair Along. Dual performers have a fair record in this race and with Detroit City winning last year, Al Eile can win this renewal. A multiple winner on soft ground, conditions will hold no fears for John Queally's gelding and with stamina also a strong point, he looks likely to build on his Northumberland Plate fourth today. Favourite Samurai Way is an obvious threat; Luca Cumani's improving five-year-old is due to go up in the weights in the future. He showed that soft ground is not a problem last time out when stepped up in trip but with an extra two furlongs to travel today it may just find him out in the closing stages. Enjoy The Moment should enjoy the ground but the hurly burly of this big field may just overwhelm him somewhat. Baddam stays very well and should be competitive, whilst Nicky Henderson's pair of Afrad and Caracciola should not be overlooked. Leg Spinner must be watched in the betting from the legendary Tony Martin stable of gambles, whilst Inchnadamph, second in this race last year should again go well. Third home twelve months ago was Dr Sharp and he would love the ground to get even softer. Whispering Death and Full House would be major players if the ground dried up however it is Al Eile who gets the nomination.
Baddam 4-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Love Brothers (8-6) at Pontefract 2m 2f stk (3) gf.
Land 'n Stars 25-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression final 2f, 6th of 7, 7l behind dhtrs Solent (9-3) & Distinction (9-3) at Ascot 2m lst stk (1) gs in Sept.
Enjoy The Moment 7-2 (9-10) Held up towards rear, nowhere to go 3f out, headway but terrible passage through from over 2f out, unable to challenge, 4th of 12, 3l behind Desert Sea (8-8) at Doncaster 2m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Aug.
Greenwich Meantime 8-1 (9-8) Held up, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Dansant (8-3) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcap (2) gf in Sept.
Samurai Way 5-4fav (10-0) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden clear final furlong, ran on well, won at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Sept beating Gabier (8-11) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Al Eile (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Held up mid-division, one pace final 2f, 4th of 20, 10l behind Juniper Girl (8-11) at Newcastle 2m hcap (2) sft in Jun.
Kasthari (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, led over 5f out, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 9, 6l behind Samurai Way (10-0) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Sept.
Golden Quest 8-1 (9-6) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 10l behind Dansant (8-3) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcap (2) gf in Sept.
Macorville (USA) 100-1 (9-11) Settled 2nd, outpaced early straight, 3rd 2f out, soon no extra, 4th of 9, 7l behind Yeats (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Sept.
Lightning Strike (GER) 12-1 (8-2) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, weakening when hampered inside final furlong, 12th of 31, 9l behind Detroit City (9-1) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcap (2) gs in Oct '06.
Mudawin (IRE) (8-11) Raced in 4th, 3rd halfway, went 2nd 5f out, pushed along approaching straight, soon beaten, last of 5, 28l behind Varevees (8-8) at Longchamp 1m 7f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept.
Leg Spinner (IRE) 5-2fav (8-13) Held up last, switched left and good headway from 2f out, stayed on strongly to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Aug beating Caracciola (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Afrad (FR) 14-1 (9-9) Held up, good headway on outside 3f out, led 2f out, kept on under hand riding until headed over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Secret Ploy (8-6) at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp 0-95 (2) gd in Aug.
Caracciola (GER) 5-1 (9-11) Tracked leading pair, going well 2f out, driven and stayed on to lead close home, won at Bath 2m 1f hcap (2) frm in Sept beating Colloquial (10-0) by a nk, 4 ran.
Som Tala 5-4fav (9-10) Tracked leader, led after 6f, headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Mirjan (9-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Aug.
Odiham 9-2 (9-7) Soon led, headed over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 12l behind Samurai Way (10-0) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Sept.
Full House (IRE) 11-2 (9-10) Held up in rear, ridden on outside over 2f out, no headway, 10th of 16, 12l behind Secret Ploy (8-6) at Goodwood 2m 5f hcp 0-95 (2) gd in Aug.
Fair Along (GER) 11-2fav (8-8) Reminder soon after start, mid-division, headway on outside 5f out, led 3f out, headed 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Greenwich Meantime (9-2) at Chester 2m 3f hcap (2) gf in May.
Raslan 10-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 3f out, headed 2f out, disputing close 4th when not much room, eased over 1f out, 8th of 20, 9l behind Full House (9-1) at Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gd in Jun.
Savannah Bay 66-1 (9-8) Led after 2f, headed 4f out, soon lost place, no danger after, 8th of 9, 16l behind Sadler's Kingdom (8-10) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept.
Desert Sea (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, held up, headway 4f out, led over 2f out, soon hung left, clear over 1f out, held on, won at Doncaster 2m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Aug beating Whispering Death (8-11) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Inchnadamph 28-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 15, 13l behind Regal Flush (9-0) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Sept.
Takafu (USA) 12-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, pushed along 5f out, soon lost several places, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 10, 9l behind Aphorism (8-12) at Warwick 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Olimpo (FR) 9-2 (9-6) Chased winner until weakened over 2f out, last of 7, 20l behind Bajan Parkes (9-4) at Haydock 1m 4f hcap (4) gf in Sept.
Ned Ludd (IRE) 11-8fav (9-10) Led, ridden and hard pressed from 3f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 14, 6l behind Whenever (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 6f mdn stk (5) sft.
Sunley Peace 6-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 5l behind dhtrs Solent (9-3) & Distinction (9-3) at Ascot 2m lst stk (1) gs in Sept.
Gee Dee Nen 9-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Samurai Way (10-0) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Sept.
Dr Sharp (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Led, ridden along over 3f out, headed well over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Broughtons Revival (9-10) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Sept.
Trance (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) Held up, ridden well over 4f out, never dangerous, 10th of 15, 23l behind Market Forces (9-12) at York 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Great As Gold (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, lost place over 3f out, 8th of 9, 24l behind Mister Arjay (9-6) at York 2m hcap (4) gf in Sept.
Secret Ploy 11-8fav (9-1) Led, ridden and headed inside final 3f, weakened 2f out, 3rd of 4, 5l behind Caracciola (9-11) at Bath 2m 1f hcap (2) frm in Sept.
Indonesia 11-4 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway to challenge 3f out, driven to lead entering final furlong, headed inside final furlong, rallied to join rival post, won at Pontefract 2m 1f hcap (5) frm in Sept deadheating with Strobe (9-1), 7 ran.
Diego Cao (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway when not clear run over 2f out, weakened, 8th of 15, 13l behind Full House (9-5) at Goodwood 2m hcap (4) gd in May.
Whispering Death 9-2 (8-10) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Dansant (8-3) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcap (2) gf in Sept.
