chased leaders, led over 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on well, impressive
mid-division, ridden and effort over 2f out, no impression, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader, ridden 2f out, lost 3rd inside final furlong, one pace
pulled hard, led, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, edged left and not much room inside final furlong, not pace of winner
NonRunner
Les Bleus was third in the Sweet Solera at Newmarket last month and fourth in a Group 2 at Deauville a week later. Karl Burke won this with the ultra-tough Laurens in 2017 and the Prestige Stakes winner Darnation, who holds Hard To Resist on the form book, appears to be developing along similar lines. Zenjabeela is also on a hat-trick but this is a big step up in class. ROMANOVA also moves up several grades but she could not have been more impressive when making all over 7f at Salisbury in a fast time and the runner-up has already franked the form. Though her dam was a sprinter, she is by Golden Horn so should stay the extra furlong and her stable has already unleashed one potentially-smart juvenile filly this year. Meribella made a winning debut at Newmarket but both placed horses have been well beaten since. See The Fire is more interesting as she holds Francophone on collateral form.
Darnation (IRE) 5-2fav (9-2) Slow to break, soon chasing leader, outpaced 2f out, rallied and switched right entering final furlong, edged right and led inside final 100 yards, won going away, won at Goodwood 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) sft in Aug beating Carla's Way (9-2) by 2l, 6 ran.
Francophone 6-4fav (9-8) Pressed leader, pushed along and led narrowly over 1f out, ridden and headed narrowly under 110 yards out, kept on, slightly intimidated by winner closing stages, held towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Heartfullofstars (9-2) at Goodwood 1m fll stks (4) gd in Aug.
Hala Abrar (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, good headway out wide into 2nd over 1f out, strong run hanging right and led final 110 yards, won going away, won at Kempton 7f mdn fll stks (4) pol in Aug beating Billiegee (9-0) by 1l, 11 ran.
Hard To Resist (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, not much room over 2f out, soon switched right, switched right and outpaced over 1f out, rallied final 75 yards, went 3rd last stride, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Darnation (9-2) at Goodwood 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) sft in Aug.
Les Bleus 17-2 (8-11) 4th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Les Pavots (8-11) at Deauville 7f Grp 2 stks gs in Aug.
Romanova 5-2fav (9-2) Made all, pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on strongly and drew clear inside last, promising, won at Salisbury 7f mdn fll stks (4) gd in Aug beating Falling For You (9-2) by 7 1/2l, 12 ran.
See The Fire 7-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, led over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Newmarket 7f mdn fll stks (2) gd in Aug beating Heartfullofstars (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Meribella 10-3 (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 7f fll stks (4) gf in Aug beating Lady Pagasa (9-2) by 1l, 7 ran.
Zenjabeela 10-11fav (9-8) Took keen hold, prominent, dropped to midfield and ridden 3f out, soon waiting for clear passage, travelling okay 2f out, soon switched left, headway between rivals entering final furlong, pressed leader close home, led near finish, won at Beverley 7f fll stks (4) gd in Sep beating Miss Roberts (9-2) by nk, 7 ran.
