towards rear, kept on final 2, no impression
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well
held up and keen, never dangerous
always behind, tailed off final 2f
prominent, outpaced over 3f out
towards rear, effort over 2f out, not troubled leaders
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
slowly into stride, behind, kept on final 2, never a factor
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
steadied start, held up behind, never dangerous
towards rear on outer, never a factor
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on well final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace
with leader, kept on well final furlong
In a race in which there is no recent winning form to go on, the pin comes down on Barzak over Pro Tempore, Ace Club and Nilsatisoptimum. Barzak was rated over a stone higher in the weights last year, but has slipped down to a much better mark after some moderate efforts. On current form he cannot be considered a 'mortgage job' but in the hope that he can produce a semblance of his old ability, he is selected in what is a poor affair to round things off. Pro Tempore falls into a similar category but his current form is definitely forgettable, while course-and-distance winner Ace Club seems to have lost his form completely of late. Nilsatisoptimum has a bit more scope as one of the three-year-olds in the line-up but do not bank on him today, and so we shall rely on Barzak.
Ace Club 8-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, short-lived effort 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 11th of 12, 13l behind Jennverse (8-13) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol.
Barzak (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Tartan Special (9-1) at Kempton 1m banded stk (7) pol.
Fraternity 20-1 (8-4) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 16l behind Le Chiffre (8-8) at W'hampton 7f app clm (6) pol in Jul.
Pro Tempore 50-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out, 8th of 15, 8l behind Moon Forest (8-10) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Sept.
Straffan (IRE) 66-1 (8-5) Led until ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 22, 13l behind George The Best (8-12) at Ayr 6f hcap (6) hvy.
Mister Jingles 33-1 (7-13) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Choreography (9-6) at Hamilton 6f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Nilsatisoptimum (USA) 10-1 (8-12) Soon led, hard pressed from 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, headed close home, 4th of 12, 1l behind Jennverse (8-13) at Kempton 6f banded stk (7) pol.
Quote Unquote 16-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 7th of 12, 11l behind Danish Blues (9-0) at Kempton 6f mdn clm (7) pol.