made all, hard pressed from 2 out, stayed on strongly flat to come clear flat, edged left near finish
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd chased winner after 3 out until before next, weakened flat
tracked winner, not fluent and went left 3rd, not fluent 5th, lost 2nd after 3 out, weakened before next
awkward start, soon in touch, jumped slowly and weakened 4th, tailed off 3 out
in touch in mid-division, lost place 3 out, weakened before next
in touch, mistake 3 out, improved to chase winner when hit 2 out, every chance when not fluent last, no impression flat
took keen hold, mid-division, hampered and lost place 4th, headway after 3 out, outpaced by leaders before next
pulled hard in rear, ridden when hit 5th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up after
mid-division on outside, headway 4th, hit next, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off
mid-division, lost place after 3rd, hit 5th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, 3rd when not fluent 2 out, one pace last
held up in rear, in touch at back of main group after 3 out, some late headway, never nearer
held up towards rear, headway 4th, weakened after 3 out
jumped big and slow in last, pulled up before 5th
This looks a cracking juvenile contest with several in-form performers taking their chance in one of the best races seen this term, including dual winners Beyond, Meetings Man and Two Kisses and all three have claims but it is the undefeated ARCHITRAVE that gets the vote. Tim Vaughan's gelding was one of the best of these on the flat and has transferred that ability over timber with wins at Stratford and Fontwell in his two outings and he looks the one to beat. Royal And Ancient was the best of these on the flat but has disappointed in two starts over timber, while Gulf Punch is capable but is relatively exposed in comparison to some of his rivals.
Architrave 4-9fav (11-5) Made all, not fluent 5th, haed driven and strongly challenged after 3 out, stayed on strongly, won at Fontwell 2m 2f juv hdl (4) gd beating Optimistic Duke (10-12) by 10l, 10 ran.
Beyond (IRE) 4-11fav (11-12) Led, ridden after 5th, not fluent 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, switched right approaching last, still every chance when not fluent at hurdle, edged right flat, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Gulf Punch (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Meetings Man (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Led, not fluent 3rd or when headed next, led 5th, hit 6th, clear approaching last, stayed on, won at Bangor 2m 1f juv hdl (4) gd in Aug beating Sassanian (10-5) by 6l, 4 ran.
Joe Rua (USA) 10-1 (11-5) Prominent, every chance 3 out, under pressure and weakening when slipped up before 2 out, in a race won by Architrave (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f juv hdl (4) gd, 10 ran.
Gulf Punch 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, led appoaching 2 out, edged right before last, stayed on gamely, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Aug beating Beyond (11-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Two Kisses (IRE) 1-2fav (10-12) Jumped well, tracked leader 2nd, led before next, headed after next, good jump to lead again 4 out, well in command and came clear before 2 out, very easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f juv hdl (4) gd in Aug beating Parhelion (10-12) by 22l, 5 ran.
Akula (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Towards rear, short of room over 4f out, never a factor, 7th of 14, 22l behind Petella (8-9) at Yarmouth 2m hcp 0-70 (5) sft (flat).
Baby Judge (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, rallied to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Denton Ryal (8-5) at Yarmouth 1m 3yo sll (6) gd in Aug (flat).
Chain Of Events 17-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 5l behind Tenessee (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol (flat).
Dr Finley (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, soon under pressure, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 18l behind Architrave (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f juv hdl (4) gd.
Jubail (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4l behind Harlestone Times (8-11) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft (flat).
Royal And Ancient (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) With leader to 4th, in touch, effort 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, no impression from next, 4th of 11, 20l behind Kahfre (10-12) at Plumpton 2m juv hdl (4) gf.
Joan D'Arc (IRE) 5-2 (9-12) Held up towards rear, not much room 1st, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, soon led, ridden out, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs in Aug beating Royal And Ancient (10-12) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Lynn's Lady 16-1 (10-5) Jumped right and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Joe Rua (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gd in Aug, 7 ran.
Venture Girl (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, never near leaders, 10th of 15, 22l behind Cheyenne Chant (8-6) at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Aug (flat).
