mid-division, outpaced 3f out, weakened 2f out
made all, driven stayed on well final furlong
mid-division, headway to chase winner 2f out, ridden kept on final furlong, always held
mid-division, weakened 2f out
held up on outside, headway 3f out, effort 2f out, ridden kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, out paced over 2f out, ridden kept on same pace over 1f out, no impression
towards rear, not much room 4f out, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge
missed break, always detached in rear, tailed off eased final 2f
behind, outpaced over 3f out, never dangerous
chased winner, ridden lost pace over 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong
This looks like an intriguing, quality maiden and the narrow vote goes to Dr Faustus ahead of Meer Kat, Wadi Raider and and Muzmin. The selection comes here hoping to make it third time lucky having let down favourite backers when last seen. He wasn't given a hard time on that occasion when defeat was inevitable and now stepping up to a mile, he looks worth siding with. However, if it turns out that he is to be seen to better effect next year, then Meer Kat looks a viable alternative. Roger Charlton's charge brings some solid form to the table and should be respected, although he may not find the winners enclosure until seen in nursery company. Funny Me didn't seem to progress from his first to second runs and with his breeding a mixture of speed and stamina, we may not see the best of him until he matures as a three-year-old. Boy Blue and Desert Lark both made satisfactory debuts and both should have learnt from those occasions, whilst Muzmin and Wadi Raider are the two most interesting newcomers. The former is bred to mature into a decent performer but may well need plenty of time, however Wadi Raider is related to several two-year-old winners and his trainer certainly knows how to ready a newcomer. All in all this looks another tricky puzzle to solve, but Dr Faustus, possibly named after Christopher Marlowe's play about a man who sells his soul to the devil for power and knowledge, looks the way to go.
Desert Lark 3-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, towards rear and outpaced, switched right halfway, kept on final furlong, 6th of 12, 9l behind Blue Cross Boy (9-3) at Redcar 6f 2yo mdn auc (6) gd in Aug.
Dr Faustus (IRE) 8-15fav (9-3) Keen, tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, hung left, headed over 1f out, soon outpaced by winner, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Spacious (8-12) at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Aug.
Funny Me 11-2 (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 5l behind Ridge Dance (9-3) at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
Harlequinn Danseur (IRE) 80-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden along halfway, never able to challenge, 7th of 12, 7l behind Fyodorovich (9-3) at Thirsk 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
Meer Kat (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Bencoolen (9-0) at Chepstow 1m 2yo mdn (5) gf in Aug.
Muzmin (USA) Seeking The Gold colt, half-brother to 6f-1m winner Under The Sun.
Terracos Do Pinhal 20-1 (9-3) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 15l behind Dubai Time (9-3) at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Aug.
Wadi Raider Tobougg colt out of 6f-7f winner Dowhatjen.
Whaston (IRE) Hawk Wing colt out of an unraced mare.
Lanterns of Gold 66-1 (9-0) Pushed along and outpaced behind, stayed on final furlong, 6th of 13, 5l behind Jadaara (9-0) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) gf in Aug.
Boy Blue 40-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway halfway, effort over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 7l behind Alan Devonshire (9-3) at Newcastle 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) gd in Aug.
