keen in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden and kept on towards finish, never nearer
held up, headway over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left, ridden and stayed on to go 3rd near finish
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, no extra near finish
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
pulled hard soon prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
keen, always in rear
steadied start held up in last place, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headway approaching final furlong, switched left inside final furlong, ran on to lead post
tracked leaders, looking for room from over 1f out, squeezed through against rail to lead inside final furlong, caught post
set steady pace, quickened pace 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
Nonrunner
STEVIE THUNDER may be getting on a little but Ian Williams' seven-year-old proved he was no back number when seventh in the Royal Hunt Cup and off a 3lb lower mark and with George Downing able to take off a valuable 5lb, there is plenty to like about his chances. Balducci is yet to return to the form that made him a horse to keep on the right side of a couple of seasons ago though his recent second in a conditions event on the July Course has received plenty of boosts since. Strictly Silver continues to run with plenty of heart and Alan Bailey's grey is sure to put up another solid effort. Oxford Charley is tried in a visor having failed to recapture some of the impressive form he showed as a juvenile while a pace duel between Crown Counsel and Afkar would prove highly favourable for hold-up performer, Jacob Cats. Ibtahaj is still unexposed and Frankie Dettori's mount is switched back to turf having been turned over at a heavy shade of odds-on at Kempton.
Balducci 15-8fav (8-11) Led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 9l behind Right To Dream (8-6) at Warwick 7f cond Stakes (3) gf in Aug.
Axiom 33-1 (9-2) Towards rear when badly hampered on rails 6f out, no chance after, 16th of 17, 44l behind Highland Knight (9-4) at Epsom Downs 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jun.
Ibtahaj 1-3fav (9-11) Awkwardly away in rear, headway to be in touch after 2f, good headway on outer over 1f out, soon led, hung right final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Hefner (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jul.
Stevie Thunder 13-2 (9-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd inside final 2f, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Dubawi Sound (9-9) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Vainglory (USA) 16-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, 9th of 11, 12l behind Quick Wit (9-10) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-110 (2) gd.
Shavansky 33-1 (8-6) In rear, headway on outer approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead final strides, won at Kempton 1m hcp (2) pol beating Come On Blue Chip (8-4) by nk, 16 ran.
Albaqaa 12-1 (9-9) Dwelt, soon in mid-division, ridden 3f out, effort when hung badly right 1f out, no extra towards finish, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Amazing Amoray (8-10) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Jacob Cats 5-2fav (9-5) Held up in mid-division, headway towards far side over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, soon switched left, strong run inside final furlong, going on close home, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Emilio Largo (9-9) at Newbury 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Aug.
Oxford Charley (USA) 5-1 (9-3) Slow into stride, in touch in rear, ridden and headway entering final 2f, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Anton Chigurh (8-6) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-95 (3) hvy.
Crown Counsel (IRE) 3-1 (9-5) With leader, ridden 3f out, led over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Sam Sharp (9-4) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Credit Swap 33-1 (9-1) In touch when groups merged over 4f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, 26th of 32, 13l behind Prince Of Johanne (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep '11.
Strictly Silver (IRE) 5-2fav (9-2) Held up towards rear, stayed on final furlong, 6th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Born To Surprise (9-2) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Afkar (IRE) 4-1fav (9-0) Led, ridden and headed narrowly over 1f out, rallied to lead again 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Esprit De Midas (9-9) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
