led, ridden 2f out, soon headed and one pace
steadied start, always in rear
in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, led well over 1f out, ridden out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, faded final furlong
mid to rear, weakened over 2f out
in touch, ridden 4f out, kept on one pace
with leader, ridden over 2f, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, close up over 1f out, ran on
The Riddler gets our vote over the likes of Synergistic and Inventor to name but two improving rivals. The Riddler looked very keyed up before his defeat at Hamilton last time, and is better judged on a sterling effort at Beverley earlier when he was touched off by Keenes Day. The son of Daylami should relish this step up in trip, although 10-furlongs is plenty far enough for a two-year-old to travel. He gets a narrow vote over Derby entry Inventor who picked up well at Newmarket once the penny had dropped, staying on for third place. Mark Johnston saddles two here, newcomer Planetarium, and Synergistic who was a beaten favourite at Beverley 12-days ago. He will love the trip on breeding, and makes most appeal of the pair. The trouble with these type of races is that some youngsters improve more quickly than others, and so we can only nominate The Riddler as a cagey selection.
Al Azy (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon squeezed out and weakened, 6th of 8, 11l behind Emmrooz (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept.
Balais Folly (FR) 66-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, progress and edged left over 2f out, one pace, 7th of 14, 11l behind Trenchtown (9-2) at Chepstow 1m 2yo mdn auc (6) gf in Sept.
Champagne Dancer 66-1 (9-3) Always behind, 12th of 16, 16l behind Lytton (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
Dubai Land 8-1 (9-3) Held up, smooth headway on outside over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace, no impression final furlong, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Lanterns of Gold (8-12) at Redcar 1m 1f 2yo mdn (5) frm in Sept.
Inventor (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Tomintoul Flyer (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2yo mdn auc (4) gf in Sept.
King Bathwick (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 2l behind Bridge of Fermoy (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sept.
Nikolaievich (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, weakened inside final 2f, 7th of 12, 5l behind Ordinance (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn (4) pol in Sept.
Planetarium Fantastic Light colt, half-brother to winning miler Pearl's Girl and 7f winner Contractor.
Shadows Fall (USA) 7-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, edged right 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 14l behind Cheque (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Sept.
Synergistic (IRE) 5-6fav (9-1) Prominent, ridden along over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Thunderstruck (9-1) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) gf in Sept.
Pay The Grey 9-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, always behind, 10th of 11, 20l behind Dauberval (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in Aug.
Hada Men (USA) 50-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 8, 8l behind Emmrooz (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept.
The Riddler (IRE) 15-8 (9-3) Chased winner throughout, ridden when hung left over 2f out, soon outpaced, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Love Galore (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
