stall malfunction and slowly away, soon detached, headway from well over 1f out, never nearer
held up, headway and hung right well over 1f out, never dangerous
tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra
held up towards rear, good headway over 2f out, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, readily
chased leader, under pressure over 2f out, soon beaten
reared start, behind, headway well over 1f out, never able to challenge
led soon clear, hard ridden over 2f out, soon headed and weakened
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened well over 1f out
Masaalek looks the form pick and is taken to get his head in front at the expense of Vanderlin and Igor Protti. The selection broke his maiden tag at Lingfield back in May and has since run well in defeat. He has finished an eye catching second to Fifteen Love on two occasions this season including last time out at Goodwood. Those efforts stand out as being his best and if he is able to recapture his best he could prove difficult to beat. Vanderlin is yet to win this season but he has slipped to what looks like a winnable mark. At his peak of two seasons ago he was running well off a mark of 114 so he could be well in and is worth noting in the market. Igor Protti is unexposed with only three career starts over in Dubai. He won on his debut and has run with credit since and he will be another to note as he embarks on his British debut. But for the winner we return to Masaalek.
Jack Junior (USA) 7-1 (8-12) Led, headed over 6f out, and remained in touch, ridden along 3f out, weakened final furlong, last of 4, 17l behind Dream Lodge (8-9) at Doncaster 1m stk (3) gf in Jul.
Azarole (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along halfway, not much room on inside just over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 6l behind Blythe Knight (9-7) at Chester 7f lst stk (1) gd in Jul.
Igor Protti 16-1 (9-0) Came wide, never a threat, 6th of 12, 13l behind Jalil (9-0) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 2f Grp 2 (1) std in Mar.
Royal Power (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, no further impression, 13th of 18, 11l behind Fifteen Love (8-12) at Goodwood 1m hcap (2) gf.
Scartozz 20-1 (9-11) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened, 5th of 9, 6l behind Perfect Star (9-8) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gs.
Vanderlin 5-1jt-fav (9-2) Chased leaders, lost place over 4f out, rallied on outside over 2f out, stayed on one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 5l behind Blythe Knight (9-7) at Chester 7f lst stk (1) gd in Jul.
Xpres Maite 14-1 (8-6) Led, headed over 2f out, soon behind, last of 7, 16l behind Ezdiyaad (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcap (3) gd in May.
Masaalek 4-1fav (8-12) In touch, switched left over 2f out and again over 1f out, sustained challenge final furlong, just held, 2nd of 18, hd behind Fifteen Love (8-12) at Goodwood 1m hcap (2) gf.
Hurricane Hymnbook (USA) 7-1fav (9-0) Raced stand's side, uneasy in stalls, outpaced and always behind, 19th of 28, 15l behind Fifteen Love (8-10) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
