keen, close up, ridden every chance over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
held up, ridden, headway over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, driven out, held on gamely
held up, headway halfway, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, rallied near finish but always held
with leader 5f
keen, held up, lost place 3f out, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong
held up in touch, ran in snatches, outpaced over 1f out, driven, ran on inside final furlong
chased leaders over 5f
held up in rear, improved halfway, ridden, no impression from over 1f out until stayed on well inside final furlong
Araafa gets the call over Yasoodd, with Killybegs, Aussie Rules and Capricorn Run best of the rest. Newmarket maiden winner Araafa improved next time to finish second to Palace Episode in the Listed Acomb Stakes at York, and on that run he should take all the beating here, given the latter's subsequent good run in the Royal Lodge last week. His entries in the Dewhurst and Racing Post Trophy indicate how highly he is held by connections, and despite the drop back to six furlongs, he should run a big race. He gets the nod over Yasoodd who was disqualified at Longchamp last time. He has been consistent at Group level but the feeling is that he will be better suited to a mile on breeding. Killybegs was only third in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster after being sent off as a strong favourite but the soft ground may have had something to do with it. Aussie Rules was turned over at odds-on at The Curragh last time and the jury is out on his ability at present, while Capricorn Run has to step up from a Newbury maiden, and all in all, it is Araafa who is the percentage call.
Araafa (IRE) 7-2 (8-10) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Palace Episode (8-13) at York 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Aussie Rules (USA) 4-6fav (9-0) Led, headed over 2f out, ridden to regain lead 1f out, drifted right under pressure, kept on well, headed on line, 2nd of 6, shd behind Abigail Pett (8-11) at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd.
Capricorn Run (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Led early, remained prominent, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf beating Olympian Odyssey (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Killybegs (IRE) 9-4fav (8-10) Chased leaders and hung left, ridden over 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2l behind dhtrs Silent Times (8-10) & Close To You (8-10) at Doncaster 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs.
Manston (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Made all, ridden clear over 2f out, ridden out, won at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Aug beating Almost Spinning (8-9) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Metropolitan Man 5-2 (8-7) Tracked leaders, led approaching final furlong, pushed out when saddle slipped inside final furlong, won at York 6f 2yo mdn aut (4) gf beating Call Me Waki (8-5) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Stepping Up (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Made all stands' side, shaken up over 2f out, clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Newcastle 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf beating Spider Power (9-0) by 9l, 16 ran.
West of Amarillo (USA) 9-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders until weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 9l behind dhtrs Silent Times (8-10) & Close To You (8-10) at Doncaster 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs.
Yasoodd 11-4 (8-11) Prominent, led over 1f out, edged right, ran on, won at Longchamp 7f 2yo Grp 3 gd beating Multiplex (8-11) by 1/2l. Later dsq to 4th, 5 ran.
Red Duster (USA) 5-2 (9-0) Keen, close up, led 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, bumped near finish, 3rd of 9, nk behind Linas Selection (9-0) at Epsom 1m 1f 2yo mdn (5) gd.
