raced in 3rd, chased winner from 3f out, driven and held over 1f out, lost 2nd well inside final furlong
never travelling well in rear, driven and no response over 2f out
in touch, effort towards centre over 2f out, soon ridden and beaten
tracked leader, came to stands rail in straight, in lead 3f out, in command over 1f out, driven and stayed on strongly final furlong
held up in 6th, driven along and beaten over 2f out
in touch, pushed along from halfway, driven and stayed on, take 2nd well inside final furlong, but no chance with winner
led, stayed alone on far rail in straight, headed 3f out, looked to be still on terms until weakened final furlong and finished tired
A small but select field for this Group three contest and we will side with Sir Michael Stoute's veteran Cover Up, with Tungsten Strike, Winged D'Argent and Mubtaker put forward as the main dangers. The Stoute yard couldn't be in better form and Cover Up was a game winner of the Sagaro Stakes at Lingfield last time. Under a terrific ride from Keiren Fallon, he just got up to beat today's rival Tungsten Strike. He is three pounds better off with that rival this afternoon and so should confirm the form. Winged D'Argent is not the most consistent of performers but comes into the argument on the pick of last season's form. Mubtaker is best in here on official ratings and was a game winner over a mile and a half at Newbury last month. He tries this trip for the first time but is a class act and has to be respected. Vinando ran well in the Chester cup and looks the pick of the others, however Cover Up comes here at the top of his game and looks the best option
Barolo 14-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, ridden well over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 25l behind Westerner (9-2) at York 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Cover Up (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Always prominent, ridden 2f out, ran on to lead post, won at Lingfield 2m Grp 3 (1) gd beating Tungsten Strike (8-13) by a hd, 7 ran.
Mubtaker (USA) 1-2fav (9-3) Held up in rear, headway when bumped and left in 2nd 5f out, ridden 3f out, weakened quickly, last of 5, 31l behind The Whistling Teal (9-0) at Chester 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gs.
Tungsten Strike (USA) 7-4fav (8-13) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, rallied and led again inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 7, hd behind Cover Up (9-2) at Lingfield 2m Grp 3 (1) gd.
Vinando 7-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, went 2nd 2f out, stayed on, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Admiral (8-1) at Chester 2m 3f hcap (2) gf.
Winged d'Argent (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Towards rear, soon chased along, never a factor, last of 7, well behind Percussionist (8-12) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) sft.
Art Eyes (USA) 11-4 (8-0) Tracked leader, led over 5f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 23l behind Cover Up (9-0) at Newmarket 2m Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
