made all, led, hung left from 3f out to centre of course, ran on strongly final 2f
held up mid-division, chased leaders 4f out, effort 2f out, kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner
tracked leaders, chased winner 2f out, no extra under pressure, and lost 2 places inside final furlong
always rear, lost touch from 5f out, tailed off final 3 furlongs
held up rear, headway 5f out and in touch, soon ridden and weakened 2f out
held up in touch, under pressure 3f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not trouble winner
tracked winner, ridden to press winner from 5f out, ridden and weakened from 2f out
behind, under pressure 4f out, soon beaten
Official ratings lead us to shortlist Tungsten Strike, Manyana, Tahtheeb and First Row but to select Tungsten Strike. A repeat of Tungsten Strike's Northumberland Plate second two runs ago would make him a major player today, and he'll appreciate today's going better than at Newmarket last time. However, he has to concede weight to some interesting opponents. It will be interesting to see how Manyana fares back in Britain after proving disappointing in Nad Al Sheba. It will also be interesting to see how Tahtheeb, who was second in the Winter Derby Trial and has been placed in Listed company on Turf, fares taking a big step up in trip, although she certainly holds chances of staying, while the Chester Vase third, First Row, is certainly respected despite disappointing in his last two runs. Finally, it is interesting to see Jonjo O'Neill running the well-bred Zarakash, but it would be hard to build a strong case on the Flat for this winning hurdler. This returns us to the selection, which is Tungsten Strike.
Tungsten Strike (USA) 28-1 (9-5) Led up to 2f, headed 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 10, 16l behind Distinction (9-5) at Goodwood 2m Grp 2 (1) sft in Jul.
Land 'n Stars 22-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, every chance over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Baddam (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Aug.
Manyana (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Led after 400m; ridden halfway; headed 1000m out; gradually weakened; eased final 200m, last of 10, 33l behind Razkalla (9-6) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 4f hcp gf in Mar.
Three Counties (IRE) 150-1 (8-11) In touch, lost place over 5f out, soon behind, last of 8, well behind Day Flight (9-0) at Chester 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
Zarakash (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Held up, 8th halfway, headway into 4th over 2f out, quickened to lead 1f out, ran on well, easily, won at Gowran Park 1m 2f mdn stk frm in Aug '03 beating Sea Skate (8-6) by 2l, 9 ran.
Tahtheeb (IRE) 11-4 (8-7) Held up in touch, pushed along 4f out, edged left and kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Eccentric (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (B1) pol in Feb.
First Row (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Uneasy in stalls, led at steady pace to halfway, remained in touch until weakened 2f out, 4th of 5, 15l behind The Geezer (8-10) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Jul.
Darling Deanie (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (8-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and switched left 3f out, ran on well final furlong but not reach leaders, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Aoninch (8-11) at Salisbury 1m 4f fll hcp (4) gf in Aug.
