close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, improved 3f out, soon ridden, weakened and wandered over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong
raced wide in touch, ridden halfway, lost place over 3f out
raced keenly in rear, switched left and headway over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, stayed on
raced keen early, dwelt, soon tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well
This is a good quality race and the three to concentrate on are Imperial Star, Shahin and Al Tharib with the vote given to Imperial Star. The selection ran really well in a Listed race last time at Windsor when finishing third behind Dragon Dancer. This colt is a half-brother to Motivator and he won well on his only previous visit here. Shahin looks the main danger as he has been running well and this slight drop in trip will suit. However, he does not find a great deal off the bridle and that could cost him in this company today. Al Tharib won emphatically here last time but this is big jump in class and he will need to improve to get his head in front. Lion Sands had the run of the race so was ultimately disappointing at Goodwood last time and he can't be recommended with too much confidence off the back of that effort. Imperial Star has plenty of ticks in the right boxes here and is the pick.
Grand Passion (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged left and kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Classic Punch (9-11) at Newmarket 1m 4f stk (3) gd in Jul.
Great Hawk (USA) 12-1 (9-13) Held up behind, ridden and headway 2f out, challenged over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 18, 3l behind Greek Well (9-0) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug.
Imperial Star (IRE) 11-8fav (9-7) Raced in 3rd until 6f out, regained 3rd 3f out, driven and still pressing leaders over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Dragon Dancer (9-2) at Windsor 1m 4f lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Shahin (USA) 3-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, led 10f out, headed over 7f out, stayed with leader, led again over 4f out, no extra when headed over 1f out, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Papal Bull (9-7) at Newbury 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Steppe Dancer (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 10l behind Papal Bull (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.
Al Tharib (USA) 5-4fav (8-8) Made all, 2 lengths clear over 1f out, in command after, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 1m 3f stk (3) pol in Aug beating Marzelline (8-3) by 4l, 4 ran.
Lion Sands 6-1 (9-0) Led at steady pace, pushed along quickened tempo 3f out, strongly pressed from 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 2l behind Yellowstone (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
