led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, outpaced, effort over 2f out, no impression
behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, hung left inside final furlong, kept on
towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, driven out
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
chased leader, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 4f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
This looks for all the world to be a match between My Arch and the promising Mosharref, with Zed Candy probably best of the rest, and we take My Arch to prevail. The selection has had more starts than his chief rival, but rather than worrying that he is open to less improvement we can take that as a plus in the context of this race. He has not been far away on three of his five starts, he possesses the stamina to be able to take this more demanding track in his stride and he will probably handle any rains that fall best of the leading pair, so we take him to score. Barry Hills-trained Mosharref is a decent three-year-old colt who has been brought along patiently, and has to prove he will handle slower ground here if he is to prevail. He also has some stamina in the pedigree so he should get home, but perhaps he just has a bit more to learn. Zed Candy is one who has plenty of experience on softer ground should the rains come, and although he has plenty to find with the leading pair, she will at least plug on if they turn out to be ill at ease, but the time has come for My Arch to get his nose in front.
Kildare Sun (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride and always behind, 14th of 16, well behind Love City (8-11) at Roscommon 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn gd in Sept.
My Arch 9-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway on inner when not much room and switched left over 2f out, driven to chase winner final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Nelsons Column (9-4) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Cooperstown Dr Fong colt, half-brother to 6f winner Algol.
Light Sentence 50-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, never reached challenging position, 6th of 9, 5l behind Royal Envoy (9-3) at Thirsk 7f 3yo mdn (5) frm in May.
Mosharref (IRE) 10-11fav (9-3) Soon led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no impression and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Changing Wind (9-3) at Kempton 1m mdn stk (5) pol.
Orchard House (FR) 20-1 (9-3) Always in rear, 8th of 12, 9l behind Fen Guest (8-12) at W'hampton 6f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Jul.
Zell (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Dwelt, raced keenly, mid-division over 5f out when fell in race won by Star Sign (9-6) at Redcar 1m 1f mdn aut stk (5) gf, 9 ran.
Dodaa (USA) Dayjur gelding, brother to winners up to 7f, half-brother to numerous winners up to 1m.