led, came centre over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, outclassed by winner
close up, came centre and tracked leader over 4f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, idled and pushed out inside final furlong
in rear, ridden 3f out, no impression
held up, raced keenly, came centre over 4f out and took closer order, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leaders, lost place over 5f out, stayed far side from over 4f out
held up in touch, stayed far side over 4f out, ridden 3f out, joined centre group over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
pulled hard, tracked leader, stayed far side over 4f out, joined centre group over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace from over 1f out
The way this Conditions race is framed favours ALEXANDROS and we are confident that he can add to his yard's terrific run of form by getting the better of stable mate Young Pretender and Plum Pudding. Following a place in Group One company in Nad Al Sheba the selection found just one too good, again at the top level at Newbury next time up. He was well beaten in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot the last time we saw him but his subsequent absence suggests there may have been a problem that day and on these terms he¿s hard to oppose on his comeback run. Young Pretender has nine pounds to find, according to the official ratings, but is lightly raced enough to improve. He has a bit of class to prove compared with the selection but we expect him to go close. Plum Pudding has to give weight away all around but was on good form until an aberration last time. Prior to that his runs do put him in the picture but with the ground not looking ideal he has plenty to do these terms. General Elliott needs to find 10lbs on the pick but will be helped by this step down in trip and first time cheek pieces may also aid him, however all the signs point to victory for Alexandros.
Plum Pudding (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 5, 7l behind Prince Of Dance (8-11) at Newmarket 1m Listed stks (1) gd in Oct.
Alexandros 13-2 (9-0) Close up and chasing group, headway 3f out, driven and weakened 2f out, eased when beaten over 1f out, 8th of 9, 42l behind Paco Boy (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
European Dream (IRE) 80-1 (9-2) Held up, never dangerous, 9th of 10, 10l behind Confront (9-5) at Haydock 1m Listed stks (1) gs in Sep.
General Eliott (IRE) 50-1 (9-10) Mid-division, under pressure halfway, soon beaten, 25th of 32, 31l behind Supaseus (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Oct.
Pawan (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Soon outpaced and reminders after 1f, some headway final furlong, never near leaders, 5th of 8, 5l behind Rowe Park (9-5) at Southwell 5f stks (3) fbs in Oct.
Smokey Oakey (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) In touch, lost place well over 3f out, last of 32, 44l behind Supaseus (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Oct.
Young Pretender (FR) 2-1fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, progress to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Mia's Boy (8-11) at Doncaster 7f cond Stakes (2) gs in Oct.
