held up in touch, lost place over 2f out
chased leaders, under pressure approaching final furlong, soon one pace
steadied start, held up in rear, headway 2f out, soon chasing leaders and ridden to challenge, no extra closing stages
slowly into stride, some headway over 1f out, no impression
held up mid-division, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
dwelt, held upd, headway halfway, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
led until over 2f out, soon rallied and led again over 1f out, hard ridden and stayed on strongly under pressure
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
chased leaders, ridden halfway, effort 2f out, soon weakened
held up, headway under pressure over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on same pace
behind, headway over 1f out, kept on well final furlong
An open nursery can go to ABSENT PLEASURE, who looked very promising last time out, with Kings Troop and Perfect Citizen among the dangers. The selection improved for being tried on fast ground last time, when staying on strongly to land a 6f maiden. He shaped as though this extra furlong would allow him to go up a notch and we will take him to show that today. Kings Troop broke his maiden on soft ground at Warwick and this trip looks ideal for him at present, though he would probably prefer some rain to enhance his chance. Perfect Citizen has conditions to suit and went very close in a similar c&d contest last time, so he has to be short list material, while Swift Chap is already a dual winner over 7f and although he should handle the ground he would probably want it slower to be seen to best effect. Cyflymder and Swingfire both have conditions and trip to suit but need to improve on what we have seen if they are to win and we'll take Absent Pleasure to score.
Versaki (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Chased leaders until weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 16l behind Cityscape (8-12) at Salisbury 1m nov stk (4) gd.
Agente Parmigiano (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked winner on inside, not quicken over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Masamah (9-5) at Lingfield 5f nov stk (5) pol in Aug.
Absent Pleasure (USA) 5-1 (9-3) Mid-division, switched left and headway well over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on well final furlong, led near finish, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug beating Huntdown (9-3) by a shd, 15 ran.
Perfect Citizen (USA) 14-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, hung left and right inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 15, hd behind Gal Aloud (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Kings Troop 5-2jt-fav (9-6) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, unable to quicken near finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Battle of Hastings (8-2) at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Swift Chap 7-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 2f out, hard ridden and stayed on strongly to lead last stride, won at Sandown 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug beating Key Signature (9-2) by a shd, 16 ran.
Senatorial 10-3 (9-1) Held up in touch, outpaced over 2f out, no impression when edged left final furlong, 4th of 5, 7l behind Reve de Soleil (8-10) at Pontefract 6f 2yo stk (3) gd in Jun.
Cyflymder (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead last stride, won at Chester 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) sft in Aug beating Kyllachy Star (9-3) by a hd, 6 ran.
Russian George (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (8-11) Led, headed over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 7l behind Splinter Cell (8-11) at Haydock 1m 2yo mdn auc (5) sft in Aug.
Johnmanderville 5-2 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 7l behind Rosabee (8-1) at Pontefract 6f 2yo hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Oriental Rose 8-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden along halfway, no impression final 2f, 6th of 10, 8l behind La Brigitte (9-2) at Redcar 6f 2yo hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Brooksby 4-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, outpaced and pushed along halfway, shaken up over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Lady Rusty (9-0) at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn fll (5) sft.
Swingfire (USA) 6-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, edged left and ran on, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd beating Rocket Rob (9-6) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Cornish Rose (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Raced wide and always behind, 10th of 12, 33l behind Sohcahtoa (9-5) at Goodwood 7f 2yo hcp (2) gf in Aug.
