tracked leaders, ridden 5f out, weakened 4f out, virtually pulled up over 1f out
held up, headway 6f out, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, not quicken
tracked winner, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out
led, ridden over 4f out, headed briefly over 1f out, stayed on gamely
behind, headway 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Nonrunner
Som Tala is narrowly preferred here to Ebtikaar and Corrib Eclipse. The key to the chance of our selection is the trip and he relished every yard of the 2m trip he won over at Beverely last time when he beat Key Time. The extra furlong should suit today and he is the one they all have to beat. Ebtikaar has to be respected back in this grade as he has been running in group company. This is more his level but he has never won over this far so he might be worth taking on for that reason. Corrib Eclipse is a course and distance winner and the booking of Frankie Dettori does look eyecatching. He proved his well-being with a good effort at Ascot last time and is entitled to make the frame. Ermine Sea could prove best of the remainder, but for the winner we will stick with Som Tala.
Corrib Eclipse 9-1 (9-2) Tracked leader until after 6f, stayed prominent, effort over 4f out, outpaced final furlong, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Baddam (9-0) at Ascot 2m 6f stk (2) gf in Jun.
Ebtikaar (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Always towards rear, 9th of 11, well behind Sergeant Cecil (9-1) at York 2m Grp 2 (1) gs in Aug.
Liberman (IRE) 4-1 (10-1) Mid-division, improved into 6th under 4f out, 4th over 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, led close home, won at Tramore 2m mdn stk frm in Aug '04 beating Moydrum Castle (9-9) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Som Tala 11-2 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Beverley 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug beating Key Time (10-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Matinee Idol 20-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 9th of 15, 11l behind Sa Nau (8-12) at Redcar 1m 6f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Castleshane (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, last of 10, well behind Dark Charm (10-13) at Pontefract 1m 2f amt hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Ermine Sea (8-11) 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Getaway (8-11) at Deauville 1m 7f lst stk (A) sft in Aug.