behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 1f out, soon headway, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, eased final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon not much room, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
led, ridden over 2f out, edged left and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside last, no extra towards finish
took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, ridden over 1f out, slightly hampered approaching final furlong, one pace
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
towards rear, headway to go in touch over 2f out, hardridden inside final furlong, kept on
held up, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
in touch and keen, weakened well over 2f out
chased leaders, weakening when hampered over 1f out
held up, headway over 1f out, soon hung badly left, led inside final furlong, driven out
towards rear, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, weakened inside final furlong
TAAJUB stands out on the figures in this heat and should go close as long as a low draw doesn't prove to be a disadvantage. Trailblazing beat Taajub at Ascot in July and is just one of five representatives from Mark Johnston's yard whilst Spying and William Morgan shouldn't be underestimated. The selection was making his debut when failing to overhaul the more experienced Trailblazing at Ascot but he has shown improved since and earned his rating when beating all bar Showcasing in the Gimcrack. It's possible to pick holes in that form but he's clearly a nice individual. William Morgan has been progressing well in nurseries but the step up in class and drop back in trip could conspire against him. This is a significant step up in class for Spying but he's gone about his work in good style and has earned his entry in the Racing Post Trophy. Sunraider has been heavily backed on both starts and could go close if making the expected improvement but recent winners of this race have had far more experience than the son of Namid. Rakaan and Lamh Albaseer both have something to prove in terms of their resolution after promising starts to their career whilst Lucky General may fare better back in trip but we'll opt for the form choice, Taajub.
Fremont (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Behind mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, no progress, 8th of 13, 11l behind Canford Cliffs (9-1) at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Lamh Albasser (USA) 7-2 (8-12) Took keen hold early, soon chasing leaders, outpaced over 2f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on again inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Stags Leap (8-12) at Warwick 7f 2yo stks (3) gd in Aug.
Lowdown (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Made all, clear over 1f out, ran on, won at Goodwood 6f mdn stks (2) gd in Jul beating Red Badge (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Step In Time (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Always behind, 16th of 17, 11l behind Yurituni (8-0) at York 6f 2yo hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Trailblazing 5-1fav (9-3) With leader, led inside final 3f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Ascot 6f 2yo mdn (3) gd in Jul beating Taajub (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Di Stefano 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Hold Your Colour (9-2) at Ripon 6f 2yo Listed stks (1) gd in Aug.
Ghostwing 14-1 (8-11) Always behind, soon outpaced, 15th of 20, 17l behind Midnight Martini (8-6) at York 6f 2yo aut (2) gf in Aug.
On The Bounty 13-2 (9-3) Switched right, raced stands' side, chased leaders, ridden and every chance approaching 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 12l behind Ginger Ted (9-0) at Nottingham 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Aug.
Rakaan (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) Took keen hold, soon disputing lead at fast pace until over 1f out, no chance with winner final furlong, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Adele Blanc Sec (8-12) at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Aug.
Taajub (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Pressed leader, led over 2f out, edged left and headed just over 1f out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Showcasing (8-12) at York 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
Take Ten 3-1 (8-12) Made all, pushed along and stayed on strongly final furlong, unchallenged, won at Warwick 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug beating Marine Spirit (9-7) by 5l, 8 ran.
Carnaby Street (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, took 2nd near finish, 2nd of 20, nk behind Midnight Martini (8-6) at York 6f 2yo aut (2) gf in Aug.
Lucky General (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Raced centre, led that pair, headed over 2f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 8l behind Azmeel (9-0) at Newbury 7f 2yo Listed stks (1) gf in Aug.
Eternal Instinct 33-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, weakened halfway, 14th of 17, 9l behind Yurituni (8-0) at York 6f 2yo hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Spying 4-7fav (9-5) Always prominent, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon in command, won at Newcastle 7f 2yo nov stk (4) gf in Aug beating Bow Beaver (8-13) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Sunraider (IRE) 4-6fav (9-3) Chased leader, led 3f out, joined 1f out, stayed on well to assert towards finish, won at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Aug beating Robinson Cruso (9-3) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Swilly Ferry (USA) 20-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, not reached leaders, 4th of 20, 1 1/4l behind Midnight Martini (8-6) at York 6f 2yo aut (2) gf in Aug.
William Morgan (IRE) 15-8fav (8-9) Keen, always prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, soon pressed, driven and ran on gamely towards finish, won at York 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs beating Victoire De Lyphar (9-2) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Perfect Ch'i (IRE) 7-4fav (9-2) Tracked leader, drive and outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Mr Grinch (9-6) at Newcastle 6f nov med aut stk (4) gf in Aug.
Sand Skier 25-1 (9-3) Prominent, pushed along 3f out, led 2f out, soon headed, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Markazzi (9-3) at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf.
Itsthursdayalready 15-2 (9-7) Chased leaders on outside, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Leleyf (9-4) at Warwick 5f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Ingleby Spirit 3-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Mingun Bell (9-2) at Southwell 1m 2yo nov stks (5) fbs in Aug.
