in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
tracked leading pair, effort when not much room on inside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
dwelt, mid-division, headway and switched right over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra
mid-division, hung left from over 3f out, headway 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
dwelt, in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway soon after, driven to chase winner entering final furlong, ran on
headway to join leader 7f out, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
This looks a really good nursery and although last-time out winner Lethal Combination is already proven on this surface we're siding with Godolphin's GRAYMALKIN, who looks well weighted on his handicap bow at the expense of debut winner Diam Queen. After improving to win just his second start the selection still showed signs of greenness, looking open to plenty more improvement and given that he beat a subsequent winner now rated 81 on that last run he looks to be treated at least fairly. Lethal Combination needed every single yard of this trip to just get up in the shadow of the post last time and given he was delivered so late means his mark rise of just three pounds might be light. Diam Queen was a good winner on her debut staying on in a manner which hinted this step up in trip is a good move. That said its not that clear if her debut mark is a correct one. Sejanus goes well here and nearly completed a course and distance two-timer last time out but after another mark rise the assessor may just have a handle on her now so instead we like Graymalkin.
The Starboard Bow 12-1 (9-4) Held up, pushed along 3f out, some headway under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten, 9th of 10, 12l behind Pleasant Day (9-2) at Ascot 7f 2yo hcp (3) gf in Sep.
Graymalkin (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, switched outside and headway 2f out, ridden and edged right 1f out, hung left and led final 75 yards, kept on, won at Haydock 1m mdn stks (5) gf in Sep beating Start Right (9-0) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Flipping 11-1 (9-5) Keen, tracked leading pair, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 4, 13l behind Circumvent (9-5) at Leicester 7f 2yo nov stk (4) gf in Sep.
Sejanus 12-1 (9-6) Led 2f, tracked leader, led again over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on, headed post, 2nd of 9, hd behind Wild Rose (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Universal Circus 10-1 (9-1) Close up on outside, ridden and outpaed over 2f out, no impression until stayed on towards finish, not reached leaders, 4th of 6, 1 1/4l behind Lord Aeryn (7-13) at Epsom Downs 7f 2yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Spanish Duke (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) Chased leaders, headway on outside over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Brighton 7f 2yo mdn aut (6) gf in Sep beating James Barrymore (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Diam Queen (GER) 9-1 (8-12) Dwelt, soon chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Folkestone 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Sep beating Hooligan Sean (9-3) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Architrave 25-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Musaafer (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sep.
Lethal Combination (USA) 13-2 (9-7) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, driven entering final furlong, stayed on to wear down leading pair to lead final strides, won at Newmarket 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep beating First Cat (9-6) by nk, 9 ran.
Branderburgo (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Sulwaan (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
