held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, ran on inside final furlong, led post
led until halfway, soon pushed along, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, led halfway, headed over 1f out, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, switched right to challenge over 1f out, never on terms
raced in mid-division, headway over 1f out, never able to challenge
settled in mid-division, ridden well over 2f out, soon no impression
raced keenly tracking leaders, effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace
always prominent, led over 1f out, hard driven when headed post
steadied in rear, pushed along halfway, soon beaten
Nonrunner
Shafgaan and Mayhab are the only two to have experienced cut in the ground but along with their stable companion Masaya look short of the class required to land this race, despite the first-named looking unlucky at Chester. Instead this race is taken to go to ZEBEDEE with six furlongs not expected to pose a problem. Richard Hannon's charge has suffered defeat only once and that came in the Norfolk Stakes behind Approve, who has since gone on to confirm his ability by landing the Gimcrack. Since then Zebedee has won twice, most recently a cosy success in the Molecomb at Glorious Goodwood on ground perhaps softer than the official description, and he looks a cut above most of these. The one exception could be Malthouse, a rare juvenile debutant winner for Mark Johnston. This 100,000gns purchase impressed with the way he strode clear at Ascot and as he's closely related to a pair of soft-ground winners in Germany a big run would not surprise. Cruiser still holds a Mill Reef entry to suggest he's thought capable of progressing while Child Bride and Button Moon had their limitations exposed last time.
Zebedee 2-1fav (9-0) Raced in centre course, held up and behind, smooth headway traveeling well and switched right over 1f out, straong run inside final furlong, ridden to lead close home, cleverly, won at Goodwood 5f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul beating Stone Of Folca (9-0) by nk, 12 ran.
Malthouse (GER) 7-2 (9-0) Held up intouch, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, won at Ascot 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul beating Escholido (9-0) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Mayhab 16-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Buzz Law (7-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Firstknight 40-1 (9-0) In touch, pushed along and one pace over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f, 7th of 9, 10l behind Forjatt (9-5) at Nottingham 6f 2yo nov stk (5) gf.
Cruiser 11-8fav (9-3) Quickly away, led 1f, chased leader, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, ridden and rallied near finish, 2nd of 13, hd behind Jerrazzi (9-3) at Sandown 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd.
Yashila (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Chased leader, every chance 2f out, one pace and held when bumped well inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Mortitia (9-0) at Goodwood 6f 2yo fll mdn (2) gd in Jul.
Shafgaan 7-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride and not much room start, behind, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden and ran on well final furlong to go 2nd towards finish, finished well, not reached winner, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Dress Up (8-12) at Chester 5f 2yo mdn (3) gs in May.
Queen O'The Desert (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Slowly away, ran green and always towards rear, 15th of 18, 11l behind Celebrity (9-0) at Newbury 6f 2yo fll mdn (4) gd in Jul.
Button Moon (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Dwelt, soon prominent, under pressure halfway, gradually weakened, last of 4, 9l behind Penny's Pearl (9-0) at Bath 6f 2yo nov stk (4) gd.
Freedom Trail 14-1 (8-13) Led and keen, headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 10l behind Sonning Rose (8-6) at Pontefract 6f 2yo flls mdn auc stks (5) gf in Jun.
Child Bride 5-1 (8-11) Soon led, headed over 1f out, hard driven and weakened entering final furlong, 3rd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Penny's Pearl (9-0) at Bath 6f 2yo nov stk (4) gd.
Masaya 10-1 (7-12) In touch, effort over 1f out, ridden to press winner inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 2nd of 15, hd behind Fifth Commandment (8-5) at Newmarket 6f 2yo fll hcp (2) gd in Jul.
