tracked leaders, soon 3rd, lost place and no extra from 1f out
led and disputed, pushed along 2f out, soon headed, lost place and no extra from 1f out
always prominent, 3rd and no impression under pressure from under 1f out, kept on same pace
close up, on terms approaching straight, headed and no extra from 1f out, kept on same pace
waited with in rear, wide and progress straight, 5th from 2f out, challenged and led from under 1f out, stayed on well
chased leaders, 6th approaching straight, no impression under pressure and kept on from under 1f out
waited with towards rear, ridden into 4th from 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to go 2nd without troubling winner
close up early, 5th approaching straight, dropped to last and no extra from 1f out
Eddie Lynam has won the last three of these with different horses and Yulong Baoju is unbeaten in two starts here so must be respected. Nocturnal Affair hasn't won since Meydan last February but has been performing with credit in Group and Listed company so this represents a drop in class. CRISTOFORO COLOMBO has had an interrupted career but has plenty going for him including a fine run on his return from a long break in a Group 3 at the Curragh last month. He has several big race entries in recent weeks and should justify them by taking this. Elusive Time ran quite well at the Curragh on Sunday but looks to have a bit more to do here.
Lightnin Hopkins (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden in 8th 2f out, weakened, 14th of 23, 6l behind Corporal Maddox (9-2) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Aug.
Elusive Time (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden in 12th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 9th of 24, 5l behind Nero Emperor (9-10) at Curragh 6f hcp gd in Sep.
Nocturnal Affair (SAF) 25-1 (9-5) Soon mid-division, 8th halfway, 7th and not much room from 1f out, kept on, 9th of 13, 1 3/4l behind Russian Soul (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
Yulong Baoju (IRE) 5-2fav (9-11) Tracked leaders, lost place towards stand's side 1f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 4l behind My Good Brother (8-9) at Curragh 5f hcp gd in Sep.
Cristoforo Colombo (USA) 6-1 (9-3) Waited with, 10th halfway, 8th and kept on under pressure without getting there final furlong, 8th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Russian Soul (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
Mooqtar (USA) 13-8fav (9-4) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 10, 11l behind Banna Boirche (9-9) at Fairyhouse 7f stks gd in Jun.
Tennessee Wildcat (IRE) 17-2 (9-0) Mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 8th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Farmleigh House (10-2) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Aug.
Gallena 7-2fav (9-7) Prominent, ridden and lost place over 3f out, well held after, 9th of 12, 7l behind Fossa (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jul.
