led, brought field to centre of course in straight, hung left, stayed on inside final furlong, headed post
dwelt, ran green in touch in rear, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, went 3rd entering final furlong, stayed on, not pace of leading duo
disputed 2nd until ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on again inside final furlong
disputed 2nd, chased leader over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
reared leaving stalls, held up in rear, driven and beaten 2f out
chased leaders on outer, ridden 2f out, gradually weakened
dwelt, held up in touch in rear, headway travelling well over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, closed on leader to lead final stride
Godolphin have a great record with their two-year-olds this season so in a fascinating heat Zeitoper needs to be respected but with a run already in the bank we prefer Sir Michael Stoute's BOTANIST and Henry San is the only other to make any appeal. The pick showed plenty of greenness on debut when not beating too many home last time. Despite that that run he still showed enough promise to suggest a race like this is within his scope while finishing ahead of a subsequent winner. As you'd expect Zeitoper is from a top class bloodline, which includes his brother Eastern Anthem, who won on debut as a two-year-old over this trip. It could be that this colt will be too classy for this lot but it's a risk we're not willing to take this time. Henry San should be suited by this step up in trip after an encouraging debut but we'll take Botanist to bloom.
Botanist 8-1 (9-3) Went left start, held up mid-division, no impression final 2f, 8th of 11, 7l behind Najd (9-3) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
Centurio Pivotal colt out of Grain Of Gold.
First Instance 9-1 (9-3) Chased leders stands side until ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 16l behind Danzoe (9-0) at Ripon 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Jun.
Henry San (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, outpaced from over 1f out, 5th of 11, 7l behind Al Ghazal (9-3) at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Aug.
Lis Pendens Tobougg gelding out of In Good Faith.
Mawaddah (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 9th of 10, 14l behind Deloria (8-12) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul.
Zeitoper Singspiel colt out of Kazzia.
Big Talk 25-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, ran green, stumbled after 1f, always in rear, 9th of 10, 29l behind Layline (8-9) at Chepstow 1m 2yo mdn aut (6) gs.
Life And Soul (IRE) Azamour colt out of Way For Life.
