ALDAARY (NAP) has been a shade disappointing this year but he has form at a higher level and is a confirmed mudlark which is more than can be said for likely market rival Checkandchallenge, who was probably flattered by his fourth in a Group 1 at Ascot 11 days ago. Bill Knight’s four-year-old has won a Group 3 but that was on good going. Zarabanda has won three of his last four but is upped in class but Longchamp runner-up Miss Cantik is respected and conditions won’t faze Dashing Roger or Grey's Monument.
Aldaary 8-11fav (9-4) Held up tracking leaders near side of group, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd final 110 yards, never going pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Popmaster (9-4) at Newbury 7f lst stks (1) sft in Sep.
Checkandchallenge 40-1 (9-6) In rear, pushed along and headway 3f out, ridden and kept same pace final 2f, 4th of 11, 15 1/4l behind Big Rock (9-3) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Dashing Roger 7-2fav (9-13) Led, a length ahead 3f out, soon ridden, 2 lengths clear 2f out, extended advantage approaching final furlong, stayed on well inside final furlong, pushed out near finish, easily, won at Nottingham 1m hcp (4) hvy in Oct beating In The Trenches (9-7) by 5 1/2l, 10 ran.
Grey's Monument 9-2 (9-11) Raced in close 3rd out wide, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, stayed on same pace and no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 6, 6 3/4l behind Thunder Ball (9-3) at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Purplepay (FR) 12-1 (8-11) Towards rear, shaken up and not clear run 2f out, ridden and switched right 1f out, stayed on inside last, not reach leaders, 4th of 9, 2l behind Vafortino (9-2) at Redcar 7f lst stks (1) gd in Oct.
Zarabanda (IRE) 11-4 (9-9) Prominent, headway 3f out, soon ridden and pressed leader, led 2f out, soon pressed for lead, narrow advantage entering final furlong, stayed on well inside final furlong, a length clear close home, asserted near finish, won at Hamilton 1m hcp fll (3) sft in Oct beating Fiver Friday (8-10) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Miss Cantik (FR) 22-1 (8-11) 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Dancing Goddess (8-11) at ParisLongchamp 1m 1f lst stks gs in Oct.
