steadied at start, held up, smooth headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden, headway on inner over 1f out, driven to chase winner final furlong
in touch, ridden, every chance over 1f out, hampered when weakening approaching final furlong
mid-division, headway 2f out, driven over 1f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, not much room, switched left over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, hampered when weakening over 1f out
led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, effort over 2f out, ridden when bumped over 1f out, no extra final furlong
Azarole, Somnus and Quito are the three that catch the eye in this very competitive affair and preference is for Somnus, who will relish the underfoot conditions. Although off the track for four months, Azarole is well up to a race of this stature and is proven on an easy suface. He won a good class handicap at Nad El Sheba in March and will be freshened up by his rest. He can play a part in the finish. The nine year old Quito is hard to ignore, despite finishing last in a Group Two at Goodwood last time. That track perhaps didn't suit him, and there is no denying he loves York. He enjoys a soft surface, -he was second in a Listed contest on similar ground in March, and his trainer David Chapman feels he is better than ever this season. He is hard to take on. Placed in a Group Two on similar ground here earlier in the season, Somnus ran perhaps his best race on an easy surface when beaten just a couple of lengths in the Group One William Hill Sprint Cup at Haydock in September, beaten just a couple of lengths. This Listed affair looks well within his compass, and Somnus is the selection.
Quito (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, held when badly hampered over 1f out, last of 10, 11l behind Iffraaj (9-4) at Goodwood 7f Grp 2 (1) gd.
Azarole (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Held up in last pair, ridden and no impression when hung badly right final 2f, last of 8, 15l behind Rob Roy (9-0) at Sandown 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Dabbers Ridge (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) In touch nearside, ridden to lead over 2f out, ran on strongly, driven out and held on, won at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gf in Jul beating Uhoomagoo (8-7) by a nk, 20 ran.
Lightning Flash 7-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, in touch, switched to outer and smooth progress from 2f out, led final 100 yards, readily, won at Lingfield 1m stk 0-90 (3) pol in Jul beating Indian Steppes (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Mostashaar (FR) 11-8fav (9-5) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed and no extra over 1f out, weakened rapidly final furlong, 4th of 5, 8l behind Satchem (9-5) at Goodwood 1m lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Somnus (9-2) behind Marchand D'or (8-11) at Deauville 6f Grp 1 (1) gd, 17 ran.
Arminius (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 12l behind After You (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 3yo stk (4) sft in May.
Chief Commander (FR) (8-11) Held up, dropped back quickly over 1f out, last of 10, 9l behind Kersimon (8-11) at Deauville 1m stk.
Saville Road 7-1 (8-7) Tracked winner, led after 1f, ridden and headed narrowly over 1f out, rallied gamely, held final 50 yards, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Caradak (9-0) at Newbury 7f stk (3) gf in Jul.
Swing The Ring (IRE) (9-2) 5th of 9, 6l behind Minkowski (9-2) at Maisons-Laffitte 1m stk in Jul.
Aeroplane 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 4th, 3rd and ridden straight, weakened 2f out, 10th of 11, 18l behind Araafa (9-0) at Ascot 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
