chased leaders, pushed along 7f out, ridden over 5f out, outpaced final 3f
led, joined 4f out, soon ridden, headed well over 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, outpaced from over 2f out
held up in rear, ridden and outpaced from over 3f out
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, driven to go 3rd 2f out, no chance with front two
chased leader, pressed leader from 4f out, led well over 1f out, ridden clear
Avalon can make the journey over pay off, with Centaurus, Tawkeet and Art Eyes seen as the main dangers. Avalon is the one to beat on his effort in the Great Voltigeur in which he finished third behind Hard Top and The Geezer. He looked to have abundant stamina when successful on his debut at The Curragh in July and was though of as a serious St Leger hope, but he would not have performed up to his potential in the rain-softened ground and it was probably a blessing in disguise that he did not line up against stablemate Scorpion anyway. He could develop into a serious cup horse next year, but in the meantime can improve here to beat more experienced opponents, the best of whom may be Centaurus. The Godolphin inmate was third behind Mubtaker in Listed company at Goodwood last time and is rated a useful stayer in the making, but the ground will be a bit on the fast side for him today. Art Eyes was swept aside by Ouija Board here last time but is capable at Group level and should be in the shake-up, while Tawkeet has to be respected after his third in the Leger, but Avalon has the scope to better than them all.
Avalon 6-1 (8-9) Behind, pushed along over 6f out, outpaced over 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on well to be nearest at finish, 3rd of 6, 1l behind Hard Top (8-9) at York 1m 4f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Centaurus 5-4fav (8-8) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Mubtaker (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 6f lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Country Pursuit (USA) 4-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, chased leader stands' side rail over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Top The Charts (8-9) at Goodwood 1m 4f stk 0-80 (4) gf.
Glistening 4-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, hampered over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Balkan Knight (9-9) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Tawqeet (USA) 11-1 (9-0) Held up, headway to go 2nd over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Scorpion (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 7f Grp 1 (1) hvy.
Art Eyes (USA) 12-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, effort over 3f out, hampered over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Ouija Board (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gd.
