close up, effort over 1f out, not quicken and faded inside final furlong
pressed leaders to over 2f out, weakened quickly approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no progress, weakened quickly from 2f out
led until headed halfway, stayed on well pressing leaders until 1f out
always behind, never troubled leaders final 2f
held up behind in touch, headway to chase winner over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd final strides
with leader, led halfway, edged left inside final furlong, ran on well, driven out
behind, headway and effort on outside over 1f out, no quicken, one pace final furlong
steadied start, settled in rear, headway and switched right over 1f out to stand side rail, ran on inside final furlong to take 2nd final strides, not reached winner
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, soon lost place and weakened quickly 2f out
Muftarres is a sprinter to follow and can complete his hat-trick here. Errigal Lad and Cape Rock are considered likely dangers. This would appear to be a decent bit of placing by Muftarres' handler as the colt is just being brought along steadily. A 4lb rise for his ready win of a modest Bath handicap is more than fair and there should be plenty more to come although it remains to be seen how he handles testing ground. The ground should enable Cape Rock to leave the form of his latest run behind and he ran well enough behind a progressive sprinter on his penultimate start to believe that he can be a factor here. Tadalavil is in form but has a busy schedule lined up and it remains to be seen how he fares and whether he takes his chance. Billion Dollar Kid made a winning start for his new yard and has claims again with none of Lodi, First Trim nor Vigano dismissed either. Polar Annie also merits a second look but the biggest threat could come from Errigal Lad who showed his first signs of form this year last time out and that effort reads well in the context of this race. He's also proven on the ground which the selection is not but we'll give Muftarres the chance to prove his effectiveness.
Billion Dollar Kid 11-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 1f out, ridden out, won at Brighton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd beating Peter Island (9-9) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Lodi (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, with leaders, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Perfect Flight (8-8) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (4) sft.
First Trim (IRE) 40-1 (8-6) Off the pace, driven halfway, moderate late headway, 7th of 12, 6l behind Piscean (8-3) at Goodwood 5f 3yo hcp (3) gf.
Errigal Lad 22-1 (8-11) Always prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Great Charm (9-2) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (3) sft in Jul.
I Confess 25-1 (8-10) Raced centre, always behind, 6th of 12, 6l behind Silver Wind (9-2) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Muftarres (IRE) 11-8fav (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Bath 5f 3yo hcp (5) gs beating Pennyspider (8-9) by 1l, 6 ran.
Polar Annie 6-1 (9-3) Led and keen early, went clear over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Victoria Reel (9-5) at Salisbury 7f fll hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Vigano (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Never on terms, 6th of 8, 7l behind Monashee Rock (9-5) at Chepstow 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Cape Rock 8-1 (9-3) Chased leader, every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 9l behind Palace Moon (9-3) at Salisbury 6f mdn stk (5) gf in Jul.
Tadalavil 7-1 (9-6) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, hd behind Whiteoak Lady (9-0) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (5) sft.
