led, headed over 2f out,weakening when not much room over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out
in rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to press winner inside final furlong, held near finish
dwelt, soon switched left to inside, in rear, driven 3f out, edged right over 1f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders and raced keenly, not much room on inside 6f out, weakened over 1f out
pressed leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakening with not much room briefly over 1f out
in touch on outside, progress over 2f out, weakened final furlong
awkward leaving stalls, soon tracking leaders, pushed along 4f out, ridden over 2f out, edged left well over 1f out, led entering final furlong, soon pressed asserted near finish
keen early, always prominent, led over 2f out, edged slightly right over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, one pace
held up, headway 3f out, not clear run briefly and switched left over 1f out, weakened iside final furlong
A race to get excited about as the flat season draws to a close and the nomination goes to New Approach ahead of Rio De La Plata, Raven's Pass and McCartney. Jim Bolger's charge holds Rio De La Plata on their running in the National Stakes at the Curragh when the former came out on top. He was in command from some way out and is sure to be at home on today's soft ground. Rio De La Plata has improved since however whilst he has won on good to soft, it is doubtful whether he would really appreciate this ground. Fast Company has been impressive in two starts to date but now faces more quality opposition and needs to improve on his first try on this going, whilst Aiden O Brien's sole representative looks out of it. Raven's Pass has been impressive in his three starts and won't go down without a fight; he won at a canter last time but he faces top-drawer opponents this afternoon. McCartney has always been well thought of and has already shown that he stays further than this seven furlongs. He is a battler and has place claims, however he may be one for a longer trip next year. A mouth-watering contest, and the vote goes to the current favourite for next year's 2000 Guineas and Derby, New Approach.
Dark Angel (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Led halfway, ridden and edged right over 1f out, kept on well, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gd beating Strike The Deal (8-12) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Dubai Meydan (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Soon prominent, chased winner 2f out, ridden over 1f out, not much room on rails inside final furlong, soon switched right, not quicken, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Lord Peter Flint (9-0) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf.
Fast Company (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Held up, headway 2f out, quickened to lead well over 1f out, soon clear, ran on well, won at York 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug beating Lucifer Sam (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Greatwallofchina (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Led to well over 1f out, weakened, 6th of 8, 5l behind Rio de La Plata (9-0) at Longchamp 7f Grp 1 (1) gs.
Hatta Fort 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, 4th straight on outside, stayed on at one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Rio de La Plata (9-0) at Longchamp 7f Grp 1 (1) gs.
Luck Money (IRE) 9-2fav (9-0) Made all, edged clear 2f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Curragh 7f 2yo stk gf in Sept beating Hitchens (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 19 ran.
McCartney (GER) 8-1 (8-12) Led for 1f, tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, ran on strongly, won at Doncaster 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Sept beating Alexander Castle (8-12) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
New Approach (IRE) 9-4fav (9-1) Made all, ridden and edged clear from over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, comfortably, won at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Sept beating Rio de La Plata (9-1) by 2l, 9 ran.
Raven's Pass (USA) 11-8fav (9-0) Held up in touch, headway on bit to lead 2f out, quickened and pushed clear final furlong, impressive, won at Sandown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Sept beating City Leader (9-0) by 7l, 9 ran.
Rio de La Plata (USA) 8-13fav (9-0) Tracked leader, smooth headway on inside to lead well over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Longchamp 7f Grp 1 (1) gs beating Declaration of War (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Moynahan (USA) 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, edged left and led inside final furlong, ran on well, readily, won at York 6f 2yo mdn (2) gd in Aug beating Iguazu Falls (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
