dwelt, in rear, ridden and weakened 2f out
towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, never a factor
tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, ridden to press leader over 1f out, led final strides
tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and joined over 1f out, headed final strides
led, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
A couple of these stand out representing powerful yards. Middle Earth has finished runner-up in both starts so far and can go close again but NAQEEB is just preferred. A half-brother to the high-class pair Baeed and Hukum, he improved when second in a first-time tongue strap at Newbury and beat a subsequent winner in the process. Marmara Sea has the beating of Rosa Chinensis on these terms while the newcomer Highland Song cost 200,000gns as a yearling.
Desert Glory (IRE) 40-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced far side 2f out, plugged on final furlong in distant 5th, 5th of 11, 12 1/2l behind Lattam (9-11) at Thirsk 1m stks (4) gs in Jul.
Highland Song (IRE) Kingman colt out of Longing.
Middle Earth 9-4 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up in touch, headway to press leader over 7f out, led over 2f out, soon headed, no impression on winner from over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Lion's Pride (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3f stks (2) pol in Jul.
Naqeeb (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Front mid-division, pushed along and went 3rd well over 2f out, ridden 1f out, ran on inside last, took 2nd on line, not trouble winner, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Nothing To Sea (9-7) at Newbury 1m 2f mdn stks (4) gd in May.
Marmara Sea 4-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd 10f out, outpaced and lost p[lace over 2f out, rallied over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed and no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Queen Emma (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f fll stks (5) pol in Jul.
Miss Bling Bling 500-1 (8-13) Pushed along from stalls and switched left, held up towards rear, behind when outpaced before halfway, finished last and well detached from main group, last of 10, dist behind Real Gain (9-11) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f stks (4) pol in Jul.
Rosa Chinensis 25-1 (8-13) Prominent, headway to press leader 2f out, soon ridden, every chance entering final furlong, stayed on into 2nd near finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Grand Providence (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3f fll stks (5) pol in Jun.