chased leaders, led well inside final furlong, kept on well
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, no extra when headed well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, kept on and no impression from over 1f out
held up mid-division, weakened inside final furlong
behind, kept on from over 1f out, no impression
prominent, outpaced over 2f out, weakened well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
chased leader, every chance approaching final furlong, one pace inside final furlong
Armour is an interesting Irish raider however BARLAMAN has shown enough to think that a maiden of this ilk should be well within his compass; Wriggle and Blue Lyric look the obvious dangers. With the Godolphin team in good form, the selection looks an obvious starting point. His draw in eight isn't ideal but he showed better early pace on his second start at Kempton and with natural progression he should take some stopping today. Improvement is also expected from the once-raced filly Blue Lyric. She was 14/1 on her debut at Yarmouth and shaped with a modicum of promise. With Fallon booked today and the yard in better form she looks sure to start a much shorter price. Wriggle was well-fancied at Lingfield last time out but he trailed in a disappointing sixth. He has been off the track for two months since and it did emerge that he lost a shoe in the race so better is expected. Luck Of The Draw won't be of interest until next year in handicaps over middle distances, Armour shaped with some promise on his debut at Leopardstown in a better race than this one, whilst Stand Beside Me looks the most interesting of the newcomers. The market may help guide, however it is Barlaman who can be the man.
Armour 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden into 2nd 2f out, challenged 1 1/2f out, no extra in 3rd 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 14, 6l behind Chabal (9-0) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo mdn.
Atherton (IRE) Cadeaux Genereux colt out of Bibi Karam.
Barlaman (USA) 2-1fav (9-0) Tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, weakened towards finish, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Fardyieh (8-12) at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol.
Holkham 100-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened and hung left over 1f out, 13th of 16, 18l behind Destination Aim (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn aut (4) gd in Aug.
Kanace 100-1 (9-3) Always behind, 12th of 13, 21l behind Waveband (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol.
Luck Of The Draw (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Towards rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 14, 12l behind Fallen Idol (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol.
R Woody 100-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 25l behind Adele Blanc Sec (8-12) at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Aug.
Servetius (USA) Eurosilver colt out of Golden Envoy.
Blue Lyric 14-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, shaken up and ran green over 2F out, headway over 1F out, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 10l behind Decorative (9-0) at Yarmouth 6f 2yo stks (5) gf in Aug.
Stand Beside Me (IRE) Footstepsinthesand colt out of Alegranza.
Wriggle (IRE) 13-8fav (9-3) Held up in mid-division, promising headway to get in behind leaders over 2f out, driven over 1f out, no response, 6th of 11, 9l behind Dubai Miracle (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Jul.