held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up, outpaced halfway, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders
tracked leaders, quickened to lead inside final furlong, stayed on
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong
soon led, headed halfway, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led halfway, headed inside final furlong, no extra
led early, chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, always behind
Eisteddfod is well treated judged by official ratings but Paul Cole's five-year-old has not been at his best this term and preference is for Fonthill Road with Bahamian Pirate rated the best of the remainder. The selection overcame what had looked to be the worst of the draw in the Ayr Gold Cup last time and there could well be more improvement to come from Richard Fahey's gelding on ground that suits ideally. Bygone Days represents the Godolphin yard and has to be respected but he would not want any further rain, while Pacific Pride needs to step up on recent form to trouble the judge. Bahamian Pirate has his conditions and has to be respected but Fonthill Road was impressive at Ayr and is taken to follow up here.
Eisteddfod 12-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 5l behind Dixie Belle (8-10) at Newbury 5f Grp 3 (1) gd.
Bahamian Pirate (USA) 5-1fav (9-5) Dwelt, soon mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 7l behind Cape Royal (8-11) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-100 (2) hvy.
Bygone Days 13-2 (9-3) Mid-division, progress to lead over 1f out, ran on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Candidato Roy (9-3) at Nad Al Sheba 6f hcp gd in Mar.
Fonthill Road (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Chased leaders far side group, ridden over 2f out, led that group 1f out, kept on well, won at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gs beating Borderlescott (9-10) by 1l, 23 ran.
Johnston's Diamond (IRE) 28-1 (8-13) Chased leaders stands side group, weakened over 2f out, 25th of 26, 22l behind Geojimali (8-4) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gs.
Pawan (IRE) 40-1 (8-4) Prominent, chased along halfway, one pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Philharmonic (8-9) at Beverley 5f stk (3) gf.
Black Charmer (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Led to over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out, last of 6, 11l behind Quito (9-5) at Haydock 7f lst stk (1) hvy.
Pacific Pride 9-1 (8-11) Held up, headway to chace leaders over 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 6, 7l behind Aeroplane (9-0) at Southwell 7f 3yo stk (3) gd.
Deer Park Countess 100-1 (9-2) Slowly away, always behind, lost place from over 2f out, 8th of 9, 23l behind Chanteuse Noire (8-12) at Hamilton 6f mdn stk (5) gf in Aug.
Sir Xaar (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, effort 2f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly over 1f out, 11th of 13, 8l behind Sleeping Indian (9-2) at Newbury 7f lst stk (1) gd.
Vondova 66-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden halfway and weakened well over 1f out, last of 8, 9l behind Catch The Cat (8-12) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
