tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
went left start, slowly into stride, chased leaders hafway, soon ridden, weakened 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
went left start, soon chased leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed, edged right and kept on inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
keen, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up, ridden halfway, soon weakened
went left start, slow into stride, outpaced, still plenty to do 1f out, ran on well to take 4th near finish, better for run
held up in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong
In an interesting maiden, Manassas is selected ahead of Aaim For Aplause and Mandelieu. Having finished second or third in seven of his eight races, Aaim For Applause has form enough to be competitive although he is pretty exposed now. Brian Meehan's Manassas showed promise when third on his Newmarket debut behind the subsequent Group 3 winner Young Pretender and holds obvious claims. Mandelieu's debut second here over five furlongs gives him a solid shout, while Naughty Frida made a step in the right direction at Salisbury last time and should have better to come. Of the newcomers, Bairag, a 65,000 guineas two-year-old purchase, Dan Chillingworth, a 120,000 guineas son of Indian Ridge, Danish Art, who cost 57,000 guineas as a two-year-old, Michael Bell's Topazes, a son of Cadeaux Genereux, and Sir Mark Prescott's Torch Of Freedom are of most interest. The selection, though, is Manassas.
Aaim For Applause 11-4fav (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, driven and one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 3l behind Sophie's Girl (9-1) at Ripon 6f 2yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Bairag (USA) Grand Slam colt out of high-class 1m2f winner Brilliance.
Dan Chillingworth (IRE) Indian Ridge colt out of 5f-7f winner Shizao.
Danish Art (IRE) Danehill Dancer colt, half-brother to 1m1f-1m7f winner Wassily and sprinter Dellagio.
Dual Faith (IRE) Almutawakel gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Manassas (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on, never able to challenge, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Young Pretender (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (3) gd in Aug.
Mandelieu (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Led, keen hold, driven and headed 1f out, kept on well, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Speed Song (8-12) at Yarmouth 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jul.
Topazes Cadeaux Genereux colt out of winning sprinter Topkamp.
Torch of Freedom (IRE) Statue Of Liberty gelding, half-brother to numerous winners on the flat and over hurdles.
Young Ivanhoe Oasis Dream colt out of 7f winner Cybinka.
Naughty Frida (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 11, 3l behind Max One Two Three (8-3) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Aug.
Madame Montom (USA) French Envoy filly, sister to American sprint winner Bewitchin' Babe.