dwelt held up, pushed along 3f out, never a factor
held up, pushed along 3f out, never on terms
keen soon prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, pushed along over 1f out, kept on same pace
led, pushed along over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, headed post
close up, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, pushed along 2f out, switched to outer over 1f out, ridden and ran on strongly final furlong, led post
close up, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
raced wide in touch, pushed along 2f out, not trouble leaders
Several have entries in top two-year-old races and we’ll know more about them after this. Heaven Forfend didn’t get the best of runs in the Chesham at Ascot back in June though never looked like winning. He’ll appreciate this extra furlong on his return as will Never Alone, placed over 7f at Newmarket on his debut, while Finest Sound ran a promising race over 7f here on his introduction and his yard could hardly be in better form. But John Gosden is still firing in the winners and BYZANTINE EMPIRE may just edge this after finding only one too good over a mile at Kempton last month with Frankie taking over the reins today. Ascot runner-up What An Angel represents last year’s winning yard along with the newcomer Gold Desert.
Adonis Blue (IRE) Helmet gelding out of Blue Butterfly.
Arthurian Fable (IRE) Sea The Stars colt out of Abstain.
Byzantine Empire 3-1 (9-5) Dwelt badly, in rear, driven and headway on inside 2f out, ridden and stayed on into narrow 2nd inside final furlong, never threatened winner, promising, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Acquitted (9-5) at Kempton 1m stks (4) pol in Sep.
Fear Naught Brazen Beau colt out of Tanda Tula.
Finest Sound (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Dwelt, soon in mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish until post, 3rd of 12, 3 3/4l behind Palace Pier (9-5) at Sandown 7f mdn stks (4) gf in Aug.
Gold Desert Mastercraftsman colt out of Tendency.
Heaven Forfend 20-1 (9-3) Towards rear, kept on final furlong, never going pace to get involved, 6th of 14, 7l behind Pinatubo (9-3) at Ascot 7f lst stks (1) gd in Jun.
Never Alone 13-2 (9-0) Went right start, in touch, pushed along 2f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Royal Crusade (9-0) at Newmarket 7f stks (4) gf in Aug.
Thunder Flash 25-1 (9-2) Ran green and outpaced in last pair, never a factor, 8th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Golden Dragon (9-9) at Windsor 6f stks (5) gf in Aug.
Via De Vega (FR) Lope De Vega colt out of Via Milano.
What An Angel 25-1 (9-5) Pressed leader, challenged 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Cherokee Trail (9-5) at Ascot 7f stks (4) gf in Sep.
Willy Nilly (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Pulled hard early, always in rear, 11th of 12, 12 1/2l behind Palace Pier (9-5) at Sandown 7f mdn stks (4) gf in Aug.