held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression
held up towards rear, ridden and hung right over 1f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed towards finish, just held on and joined for 2nd place on line
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, one pace, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
with leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to join 2nd pace on line
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, soon headway, kept on towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
Mark Johnston has won this twice in recent years and is represented by the improving Mushaakis and the lightly-raced Broughton, who found 1m4f too far at Ascot last time. The former was beaten three lengths by CODE OF HONOR at around this trip at Sandown and Henry Candy's colt is progressing fast enough to defy a 6lb rise. Ajmany was dropped in grade for an easy victory at Nottingham and a 7lb rise makes this tougher but Red Avenger ran into a well-handicapped winner in Maputo at Newmarket and, though well beaten, it's a surprise that the assessor has dropped him 1lb. Tha'ir is the class act of the race and bounced back to winning form at this level at Ascot. Everything points to a big run despite his weight and he could provide the main threat.
Tha'ir (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jul beating Sennockian Star (8-13) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
King George River (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Steadied towards rear, headway on bend from halfway, chased winner over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 14l behind Mukhadram (9-2) at York 1m 2f Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.
Code Of Honor 4-1 (9-0) Held up in mid-division on inside, headway over 2f out, ridden when not clearest of runs switched left and squeezed through to 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won going away, won at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul beating Mushaakis (8-4) by 3l, 10 ran.
Red Avenger (USA) 8-1 (9-6) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Maputo (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Cruck Realta 10-1 (9-2) Held up in 4th, ridden, switched left and effort over 2f out, no impression, 4th of 5, 6l behind Maputo (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 3f Listed stks 3yo (1) gf in Jul.
Ajmany (IRE) 5-6fav (9-6) Tracked leaders in 4th, ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish, won at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul beating Stellar Express (9-11) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Double Discount (IRE) Evensfav (9-8) Tracked leaders, closed over 3f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon headed, ran on, 2nd of 4, shd behind Enzaal (9-1) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Mushaakis (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Always prominent, led over 2f out, ridden clear entering final furlong, stayed on well, won at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul beating It's My Time (8-9) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Broughton (GER) 13-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakening when short of room briefly over 1f out, 6th of 8, 10l behind Bold Sniper (9-6) at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
Aussie Reigns (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) Mid-division, closed 3f out, ridden and edged left over 2f out, beaten over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 9l behind Law Enforcement (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jul.
Mundahesh (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Steadied start, took keen hold and held up in rear, still pulling 4f out, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd final strides, unable to reach winner, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Circus Turn (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
Noble Gift 13-8fav (9-4) Dwelt, in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, kept on to lead close home, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jul beating Mr Fitzroy (8-12) by nk, 7 ran.
Buckstay (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Held up 4th and last in touch, driven 3f out, ridden to take 2nd 1f out, kept on, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Maputo (9-7) at Redcar 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
