chased leaders, went 2nd and edged left over 1f out, no impression on winner
mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 3f out, tailed off
slowly into stride, soon well behind, tailed off final 5f
made all, driven 2f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on well
chased winner, ridden 4f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, one pace
mid-division, headway over 3f out, stayed inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up and behind, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
Africanus, Full of Zest and Overlord Way look the three to concentrate on here and the vote is given to Africanus. The selection, a son of Dubai Millennium, was not given a hard race on his debut and he was staying-on at the finish when third behind Maghazi. He is sure to come on for the experience and if he does he will be hard to beat. Full of Zest looked in need of the run when third behind Perfect Blend at Windsor on his seasonal reappearance. There is every reason to expect better today but he was bitterly disappointing last time so we're happy to oppose him today. Overlord Way seemed to be suited by the step-up in trip when second behind Quizzical Question last time, so it seems strange that he is dropped back down in trip today. Merrymadcap is a fair sort but he has yet to win a race and he has had 17 attempts. We will therefore return to the Godolphin representative Africanus who looks to have a leading chance and gets the vote.
Africanus (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Maghazi (9-0) at Thirsk 7f mdn stk (5) gf in Jun.
Machinate (USA) Machiavellian gelding out of a moderate maiden.
Merrymadcap (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Stumbled start, soon mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 12, hd behind Dragon Slayer (9-7) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Overlord Way (GR) 7-4fav (8-12) Mid-division and keen, headway 4f out, led 1f out, headed last strides, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Quizzical Question (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn aut stk (5) pol.
Full of Zest 5-2 (8-9) Chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, hung left and no impression final 2f, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Perfect Blend (8-9) at Windsor 1m mdn stk (5) gf.
Orlar (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Behind, headway over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Toffee Vodka (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 3yo fll hcp (5) pol.
Pivotal Role 33-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 18, 6l behind Sir Edward Elgar (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gs.
Witwatersrand (IRE) 13-2 (8-9) Held up, headway 3f out, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 4l behind Admiral's Cruise (9-0) at Newbury 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) gs in Jul.