in touch on outer, effort 2f out, one pace when short of room 1f out, no extra
keen in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
tracked winner, joined winner 6f out, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and edged left 1f out, kept on same pace
made all, ridden and ran on final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong
tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
always in rear
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
There have been some shocks in this over the years so punters beware. BUBBLE CHIC's close second to Pour Moi in a Saint-Cloud Group 2 and his narrow defeat by Reliable Man in the French Derby are easily the best form on offer and though he's yet to encounter ground anything like as fast as is forecast here he has to be the choice. The tough Premio Loco is well up to this grade but a penalty gives him a stiff task while Retrieve, a brilliant performer in his native Australia, is another who will be racing on ground much quicker than previously. Sri Putra was a big disappointment at Newbury last time and a couple of defeats at this level recently suggest Dux Scholar has plenty to do. King Torus is very much better than he showed at Sandown last time and is closely matched with the progressive Questioning on their earlier 1-2 in a Listed contest at Haydock.
Premio Loco (USA) 13-2 (9-3) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon chased winner, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Ransom Note (9-3) at Newmarket 1m Grp 2 (1) gf in Sep.
Albaqaa 14-1 (8-11) Dwelt towards rear, effort on outer 2f out, weakened final furlong, 17th of 32, 9l behind Prince Of Johanne (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Navajo Chief 8-1 (9-2) Chased leader until inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out, beaten when not much room final 100 yards, 6th of 7, 4l behind Chilworth Lad (8-13) at Newbury 7f Listed stks 3yo (1) gs in Sep.
Retrieve (AUS) (8-10) 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind My Kingdom Of Fife (9-4) at Randwick(AUS) 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) hvy in Apr.
Sri Putra 4-1 (9-3) Chased leading trio, driven to challenge approaching final 2f, weakened over 1f out, lost modest 4th close home, 5th of 8, 8l behind Green Destiny (9-6) at Newbury 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
Bubble Chic (FR) (9-2) 4th of 8, 1 1/4l behind Casamento (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
Dux Scholar 10-3fav (8-6) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hard pressed, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Prince Siegfried (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug.
King Torus (IRE) 7-4fav (9-2) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along and hung right over 2f out, weakened and eased over 1f out, tailed off, 7th of 8, 39l behind Lay Time (8-8) at Sandown 1m Listed stks 3yo (1) gd in Sep.
Maali (IRE) 40-1 (8-8) Held up, headway when switched right over 1f out, ridden and ran on towards finish, 8th of 32, 3 1/2l behind Prince Of Johanne (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Questioning (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) In rear, hampered 2f out, ran on through horse inside final furlong, nearest finish, 14th of 32, 8l behind Prince Of Johanne (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
