held up in rear, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
hampered start, chased leaders, ridden and led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader 5f
held up mid-division, outpaced 4f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong
went left start, led, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
always in rear, weakened and eased over 2f out
close up, chased leader 7f out, every chance 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 4f out
dwelt, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong
Into The Dark gets the nod over Munsef, with Frank Sonata and Self Defence likely to make their presence felt in this Listed contest. Given the name of this race, Godolphin would obviously like to grab the honours and stage a two-pronged attack with Duke of Venice and Into The Dark. Preference is for the latter who was in terrific form last season, winning all four starts and culminating in lifting the Listed Doonside Cup at Ayr in September. Off the track since then, he reappeared with a very encouraging short-head defeat to Compton Bolter in a Group 3 contest at Newbury a fortnight ago, and as he will strip fitter for the run, the son of Rainbow Quest should make a bold bid to crack out and make every yard of the running under Frankie Dettori. His main rival appears to be Munsef who deserves credit for coming from off the pace when landing the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot at York in June. Not many managed that feat during the course of the week and he is a progressive sort. However, he has been absent since and might just need the run. Of the rest, Frank Sonata has a mountain to climb with the selection on latest running, but would enter calculations if the heavens opened, while Self Defense ran a blinder to chase home Mubtaker in the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge, and as he had Compton Bolter behind that day, has to be added to the list. With more to come though, it is Into The Dark that makes most appeal.
Asian Heights 16-1 (8-12) In touch, lost place 5f out, dropped rear and virtually pulled up, last of 13, well behind Day Flight (8-11) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Defining 16-1 (9-10) Held up mid-division, ridden and switched left when slightly hampered 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 20, 14l behind Sergeant Cecil (8-12) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Duke of Venice (USA) 6-1 (8-12) Mid-division, weakened quickly over 2f out, last of 16, 29l behind Fight Your Corner (9-0) at Sandown 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in May.
El Tiger (GER) (8-6) Held up, headway over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Albanova (9-2) at Dusseldorf 1m 4f Grp 1 sft in Jul '04.
Frank Sonata 11-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, driven and beaten 3f out, last of 6, 30l behind Compton Bolter (9-2) at Newbury 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Into The Dark 11-8jt-fav (9-2) Led, quickened 4f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, headed final 75 yards, rallied near finish, 2nd of 6, shd behind Compton Bolter (9-2) at Newbury 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Persian Majesty (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Held up, headway under pressure over 2f out, soon ridden, weakening when slightly hampered over 1f out, eased afterwards, 11th of 17, 10l behind Another Bottle (8-12) at Newbury 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Self Defense 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, soon every chance, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Mubtaker (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gd.
Tiger Tiger (FR) 12-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, headway centre over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Orcadian (9-2) at Windsor 1m 4f lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Australie (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) In touch, short-lived effort 2f out, 7th of 9, 6l behind Elopa (8-11) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 2 sft in May.
Munsef 14-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, steady headway over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on, won at York 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun beating Sunday Symphony (8-8) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
