in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out
went right start, raced wide over 1f, chased leaders, driven along 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased when no chance final furlong
took keen hold, with leader until well over 1f out, weakened approaching final furlong
chased leaders, effort 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, headway towards stands side 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead last strides
held up in rear, driven and headway towards stands side over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leading duo
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
always behind
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not quite pace to reach leaders
dwelt, in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, one pace and no impression over 1f out
made most, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, stayed on until no extra and headed last strides
Apparently nothing of the quality of 2007 winner Ibn Khaldun here but a fascinating nursery nonetheless, one taken to go to BUCKLAND. Brian Meehan has a fine record when applying headgear for the first time so the blinkers could be taken as a positive, as has to be the booking of Kieren Fallon. The Oratorio-colt was behind Custom House last time but the terms of this race bring them close together and the switch to rain-softened turf is more likely to suit Buckland, whose half-brother Higher Love won on soft ground. That's not to dismiss Custom House entirely as he's progressive and Richard Hughes rides for the first-time, although Ibsaar is considered more of a threat following a narrow Chester win when mud was flying, while Buckland's stablemate Velvet Underground gives the trainer a strong hand in his bid to win back-to-back renewals of the opener.
Orientalist 14-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 7l behind Whisper Louise (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 2yo hcp (2) gs.
Custom House (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Always prominent, ridden over 2f out, edged left entering final furlong, soon led, ran on, won at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol beating Buckland (9-3) by 1l, 10 ran.
Persian Herald 40-1 (9-0) Steadied start, took keen hold in 4th, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, no chance after, last of 5, 10l behind Titus Mills (9-0) at Goodwood 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gd.
Tick Tock Lover 7-4fav (9-3) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish, always in command, won at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (4) pol beating Splash Point (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Capaill Liath (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 6l behind Invincible Ridge (8-11) at Newbury 6f 2yo hcp (3) gf.
Buckland (IRE) 4-5fav (9-3) Always prominent, ridden over 3f out, led narrowly well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Custom House (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol.
Ibsaar 7-2 (9-3) Led, joined over 3f out, soon hard pressed, ridden and headed narrowly 1f out, rallied inside final furlong to regain lead final 50 yards, held on, won at Chester 7f 2yo mdn (4) sft beating Edmaaj (9-3) by shd, 5 ran.
Velvet Underground (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, 10l behind Invincible Ridge (8-11) at Newbury 6f 2yo hcp (3) gf.
Majestic Dream (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Steadied start, soon tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on, one pace, 5th of 12, 7l behind Red Oleander (7-12) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Aldwick Bay (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, effort when under pressure over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Kingarrick (9-3) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Aug.
Buzz Law (IRE) 8-1 (8-3) Chased leader, ridden inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Orientalist (9-7) at York 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Golden Blaze 33-1 (7-5) Led after 1f, hung right 2f out, soon headed, rallied and every chance 1f out, not quicken last 100 yards, 2nd of 8, nk behind Bridle Belle (8-12) at Ayr 1m 2yo hcp (2) gd.
