tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, challenged 2f out, driven to lead narrowly over 1f out, kept on gainly to assert near finish
close up in 4th, chased leading pair 3f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out
tracked leader, led over 3f out, driven along from 2f out, narrowly headed over 1f out, stayed challenging final furlong, held near finish
held up, pushed along entering straight, plugged on from over 1f out
led, headed over 3f out, weakened rapidly, eased when no chance over 1f out
held up last but in touch, chased leading trio, hung left from 2f out, no impression over 1f out
Race-fitness is the only issue that stops Almuraad being a very confident choice to get the better of Kings Quay and Etesaal in this conditions stakes. Big Bad Bob is respected as a tough performer that will be suited by making the running. And he too an be a threat if he is allowed an easy lead. Etesaal had Colisay a short-head away when he won at Newmarket in April. He dug deep that day and, with the return to 10 furlongs expected to suit, he can gain go close. The same has to be said of Kings Quay, whose sights have been lowered since he finished eleventh in this year's Vodafone Derby. This looks to be his grade and he can pick up the scraps if the selection is found short of toe when it really matters. However, historically, it has been a clue in itself when Sir Michael Stoute keeps a lightly raced colt in training as a four-year-old. And this one-time Derby hopeful fits a familiar profile of a high-class individual whose options have been cherry picked for him. The son of Machiavellian has obviously endured a set-back of some kind to be introduced so late in the season. Still he has a fifty percent strike-rate from his previous outings and, with a fast mile and a quarter being exactly what he wants, Almuraad is fancied to do his bit to pay off a chunk of training fees this afternoon.
Etesaal (USA) 22-1 (9-10) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 10th of 15, 8l behind Zeitgeist (8-10) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Jul.
Almuraad (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Raced centre, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, soon no impression, 10th of 16, 10l behind Autumn Glory (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (A1) sft in Oct.
Big Bad Bob (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Steadied start, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Andean (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 2f stk (3) gd.
Colisay 20-1 (9-2) Held up behind leaders, effort when not much room over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 17th of 20, 18l behind Imperial Stride (8-11) at York 1m 2f lst hcp (1) gf in Jun.
King's Thought 100-1 (9-0) With leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 19, well behind Realism (8-6) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gd.
Kings Quay 6-1 (8-7) Steadied start, held up in touch, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, unable to quicken near finish, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Andean (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 2f stk (3) gd.
Jath 20-1 (9-3) Led, ridden 2f out and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 7l behind Peeress (9-3) at York 7f lst stk (1) gs in May.
