tracked leader to 3f out, soon weakened
held up last, headway, centred 2f out, soon hung left but went 2nd approaching final furlong, no impression when in sight final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, stayed on underpressure final furlong
held up, effort to chase leading pair 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
soon tracked leaders, taken to far rail to chase winner 3f out, no impression when lost 2nd approaching final furlong, weakened
given easy lead, made all, kicked on 4f out, driven and led on well final 2f
chased leaders, pushed along over to 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, headway centre over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
Frank Sonata looks the one to be with here, although Naheef and Counsel's Opinion are respected and could go close. The selection is eased in grade tonight and is also dropped in trip and a combination of those factors and the ability to handle cut in the ground give him strong claims of getting his head in front. Naheef was a Listed winner last Autumn so he has got obvious claims on the pick of his form, but he seems to have lost his way of late and he lost his action when finishing last at Chester last time. Counsel's Opinion missed the break and did not get the run of the race at Goodwood last time, so if he gets the strong gallop that he needs tonight he will not be far away at the finish. Matloob was really useful as a 2-year-old but he hasn't been seen out in public for two years and may be best watched unless the market speaks strongly in his favour. This is a good contest and we will stick with Frank Sonata who looks the one to beat.
Carte Sauvage (USA) 10-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders; ridden straight; stayed on; not pace of leaders, 5th of 10, 8l behind Razkalla (9-6) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 4f hcp gf in Mar.
Counsel's Opinion (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Slowly away, tailed off last, effort on outer 2f out, soon ridden and no impression, 6th of 8, 9l behind Mamool (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 4f lst stk (1) gs in Jul.
Frank Sonata 4-1 (8-9) Mid-division, outpaced over 4f out, soon beaten, 7th of 9, 10l behind Franklins Gardens (8-10) at York 1m 6f Grp 2 (1) gs in May.
Matloob 9-4jt-fav (8-11) Raced wide, tracked leaders, pressed winner and every chance 2f out, lost 2nd 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Barbajuan (8-11) at Sandown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (A) gs in Aug '03.
Naheef (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) Prominent and keen, led after 1f until over 7f out, stayed prominent, ridden 4f out, weakened quickly, last of 10, well behind Maraahel (9-1) at Chester 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
Orcadian 16-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 9l behind Andean (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 2f stk (3) gd.
Red Lancer 8-1 (9-3) Keen, mid-division, lost place over 3f out, soon behind, 7th of 8, 6l behind Jagger (9-7) at Chester 1m 5f lst hcp (1) gf.
Tiger Tiger (FR) 12-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 20, 4l behind Evaluator (8-11) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Jul.
