always in the rear
very slowly into stride, soon in touch, weakened over 4f out
mid-division, headway halfway, stayed on
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
always in the rear
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 3f out, faded final furlong
made virtually all, ridden out
tracked leader, ridden to chase winner 1f out, ran on
in touch, ridden and weakened 4f out
mid-division, beaten soon after halfway
Putra Square is taken to open his account at the expense of Viva Vettori and Comma, with Garafena very likely to need the run. This should rest between the first three mentioned, and preference is for Putra Square who has taken on much better company on occasions, including York's Acomb Stakes last year. More recently he was asked to take on good opponents in a valuable handicap at Epsom in June, but could only beat one home. This is the last chance saloon for Paul Cole's charge, as back in maiden company, he will be expected to make amends. If he flops today, it is time to give him a wide berth. Viva Vettori is a lot less experienced, having had just the two outings so far, at Newmarket and Sandown, and needs to settle better, but has scope, while Comma has a couple of placed efforts to her name, and steps up in trip for the first time. Garafena had seconditis when last seen, and has a long absence to overcome, so in a race in which nothing at all stands out, the so far disappointing Putra Square is the pick to small stakes.
Premier Cru 14-1 (8-12) Led until headed 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 12l behind Elms Schoolboy (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol in Nov.
Summerofsixtynine 20-1 (10-2) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 7f out, weakened over 3f out, 6th of 15, 21l behind Regal Angel (10-5) at Hereford 1m 5f nhf (6) gd in Jun (N.Hunt).
Bora Shaamit (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Towards rear, ridden after 4th, no extra, 8th of 12, well behind Esprit de Corps (11-1) at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jun (N.Hunt).
Garafena 6-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, switched right 2f out, headway soon after, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, not quicken near finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Zaif (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gf in Jul '06.
Bothar Brugha (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened approaching straight, last of 10, 9l behind He's A Decoy (9-3) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo mdn gd in May '06.
Istibian (IRE) 66-1 (8-10) Keen hold in 5th, headway to track leading pair 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 15l behind Give Me A Break (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Nothingtodeclaire 100-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, 6th of 8, 10l behind Knead The Dough (9-0) at Yarmouth 6f mdn stk (5) gd.
Putra Square 33-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden and struggling straight, 13th of 14, 30l behind Zaham (9-2) at Epsom 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Jun.
Viva Vettori 15-8fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 1f out, switched right and stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 10, 3l behind Kaateb (9-10) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf.
Comma (USA) 5-6fav (9-2) Held up towards rear, ridden, switched left 2f out, no real impression, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Dancing Jest (8-6) at Yarmouth 1m 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (5) gf in Aug.
Cumae (USA) 66-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, 24l behind El Toreador (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 3yo mdn fll (5) gf in Jun.
Lady Lorins 100-1 (8-9) Soon outpaced, 9th of 11, 10l behind Gilded Youth (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
Winforjoe (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Close up, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out, 4th of 6, 19l behind Hibiki (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 3f mdn stk (5) gf.
