tracked leaders until pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out
dwelt, in rear, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out
raced wide in touch, headway to chase leaders 3f out, ridden 2f out, carried head high when led inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along and weakened over 2f out
close up, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
slowly away, raced very wide alone until switched left to lead main group 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly away, in touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch, headway 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong
led main group until headed 6f out, tracked leader until pushed along 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
in rear, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
Arqoob didn’t run badly returning from a break at Newmarket nine days ago. Royal Scandal won twice on the all-weather last year but has disappointed so far this campaign but Royal Symbol wasn’t beaten far under a big weight on his handicap debut and William Buick prefers him to the returning Big Team. Jeff Koons is still unexposed but better was expected at Doncaster latest and ROYAL DUBAI is preferred. He became unbalanced in the closing stages when a beaten favourite at Newmarket last month and should also be suited by this step up in trip. Flying Frontier was also a beaten favourite last time but Bleak has improved for a gelding operation and is much respected.
Chasing Aphrodite 22-1 (8-12) Close up far side, ridden halfway, weakened 3f out, last of 30, dist behind Jimi Hendrix (9-5) at Ascot 1m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Big Team (USA) (9-4) last of 12, 25 3/4l behind Royal Fleet (9-3) at Meydan 1m 2f Grp 3 stks gf in Feb.
Royal Symbol (IRE) 7-2 (10-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead entering final 2f, edged left and headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 4th of 11, 1l behind Fantasy Believer (9-8) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Royal Scandal 14-1 (8-9) Towards rear, ridden when some headway over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 8l behind Warren Point (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f lst stks (1) pol in Oct.
Arqoob (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Bopedro (10-0) at Newmarket 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Crystal Delight 9-1 (9-10) Led, set steady tempo, headed before 1f out, soon pushed along, rallied when pressed for third inside final furlong but not pace of front pair inside final 110 yards, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Return To Dubai (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Aug.
Royal Dubai (FR) 9-4fav (9-5) Dwelt, close up centre, pushed along and slightly outpaced over 2f out, ridden and stayed on to go 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Highbank (9-9) at Newmarket 1m hcp (2) gs in Jul.
Flying Frontier 6-4fav (9-5) Towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden, plugged on same pace from over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Wynter Wildes (9-4) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Jul.
Bleak (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) Led, pushed along when headed just before 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong but not pace of winner near finish, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Andaleep (10-3) at York 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jul.
Jeff Koons (IRE) 11-8fav (9-11) Towards rear, smooth headway over 3f out, edged right, bumped rival and pushed along to press leader 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside last, 4th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Iron Lion (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 2f stks (5) sft in Aug.
Kitsune Power (IRE) 28-1 (9-6) Held up off the pace towards rear, some headway when hung right 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 18 3/4l behind Scampi (9-6) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp (2) gs in Aug.