always behind
slowly into stride, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, kept on well under pressure, never on terms
tracked leader, hard driven to challenge over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, never on terms
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, stayed on well, never nearer
led, took keen hold, hard driven when challenged from well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
prominent, keen early, driven to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, raced freely, headway to track leaders after 2f, effort over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
This looks quite competitive but Faery Song did beat Approaching, Pink Diamond and the disappointing Dark Avenger at Salisbury 10 days ago. Dark Amber won over a longer trip here in June and also landed an amateurs' race at Newbury last month while Matraash got his head back in front an the all-weather last time, though is 6lb higher here. THAMES KNIGHT (NAP) has attracted significant market support in his last two runs and backers will be keen to recoup losses. He shapes as though a step up in trip wouldn't come amiss but they usually go a good gallop around here and he can pick up the leaders in the closing stages to open his account.
Matraash (USA) 33-1 (9-12) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, led 1f out, kept on well, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Aug beating Fight Knight (8-6) by 3l, 11 ran.
Dark Amber 7-2fav (10-13) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Moojaned (10-4) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Valantino Oyster (IRE) 7-2fav (9-2) Led to 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Spifer (9-6) at Catterick 1m 4f stks (5) gd in Aug.
Approaching (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and effort inside final 2f, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd and held towards finish, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Faery Song (9-5) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Faery Song (IRE) 15-8fav (9-5) Held up in touch in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, held on, won at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Aug beating Zubaidah (8-11) by 1l, 6 ran.
Dark Avenger (USA) 9-4fav (9-3) Led, ridden 3f out, headed 2f out, beaten when eased inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 11 1/4l behind Faery Song (9-5) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Thames Knight 10-3fav (8-13) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Instill (8-11) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Pink Diamond 8-1 (9-1) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3f out, led narrowly 2f out, soon ridden, headed when edged left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Faery Song (9-5) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Chorlton House 7-1 (9-2) Held up in 5th, headway on outside over 3f out, went 4th and one pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Distant High (8-12) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Missandei 14-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 7 1/2l behind Golden Emerald (10-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
