dwelt, soon tracking leaders on inside, not clearest of runs and switched left 2f out, chased winner 1f out, driven and stayed on well towards finish, always just held
took keen hold in rear, came wide into straight, headway on wide outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never going pace to trouble leaders
held up in last pair, headway on outside over 2f out, one pace when ridden and hung left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leaders on outside, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
led until narrowly headed halfway, stayed front rank until weakened quickly over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway when not clear run 2f out, soon squeezed through, chased leaders over 1f out, no extra and lost 3rd close home
tracked leaders, bumped inside final 3f, led 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on gamely throughout final furlong
took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, went 3rd close home, not able to reach leading duo
disputed lead, led halfway, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
In time Asraab may end up being too classy for this lot but with this a first start as a three year old and in a handicap it seems best to look elsewhere. First Cat makes the shortlist after a string of near misses but with the handicapper putting him up in the weights again preference is for WHIRLY DANCER. Henry Cecil's charge may have only just got up last time but he wasn't stopping and with the second placed horse going on to score he looks good value for his revised mark. Oil Strike is on a progressive run of form and should feature again while Merchant Of Medici will have to improve with 6lb extra to carry after a win last time.
Asraab (IRE) 6-4fav (9-3) Raced far side, in touch, every chance from 2f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, ran on readily, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct beating Illustrious Prince (9-3) by hd, 16 ran.
First Cat 7-2 (9-2) Took keen hold, held up, headway when not clear run and squeezed through 2f out, soon led, carried head awkwardly and headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind San Cassiano (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul.
Whirly Dancer 5-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway 3f out, edged both ways under pressure from over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead post, won at Doncaster 7f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gf in Jul beating Cheers For Thea (8-13) by hd, 10 ran.
Brick Red 8-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, driven to challenge and edged left entering final 1f, stayed on well under pressure, just failed, 2nd of 14, ns behind Ransom Note (8-8) at Goodwood 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Planet Red (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 12, 6l behind Poppy Seed (9-4) at Windsor 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Rule Of Nature 7-2fav (8-8) Outpaced in rear, kept on inside final furlong, no chance, 9th of 13, 5l behind Perfect Blossom (8-5) at Goodwood 5f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Thrill 6-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and beaten 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 13l behind Timepiece (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo lst fll (1) gd in Oct.
Merchant Of Medici 9-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fm in Jul beating Tap Dance Way (9-1) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Rolling Hills (IRE) Evensfav (9-3) Made all, soon grabbed stands rail, ridden and edged left over 1f out, edged right and strongly pressed inside final furlong, held on, won at Lingfield 7f mdn auc stks (6) fm in Jul beating Norman Orpen (9-3) by shd, 11 ran.
Oil Strike 2-1fav (9-7) Pressed leader, led narrowly over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra final 75 yards, 2nd of 7, hd behind The Confessor (8-13) at Salisbury 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Wear 'em Out Wilf 13-2 (9-3) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven and ran on, won at Yarmouth 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf in Jul beating Barq (9-3) by shd, 8 ran.