raced keenly, soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, hung left and held after, lost 3rd and one pace inside final furlong
held up in touch behind leaders, pushed along and switched right 2f out, effort to chase winner over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, kept on
held up behind leaders, pushed along and effort over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, went 3rd and stayed on same pace inside final furlong
led early, tracked leader, led again over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up in rear, switched right 2f out, ridden and no impression, well beaten final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
All six of these have already won but Secret Strength is a lot more exposed than his rivals. Like A Lion ran poorly at Leicester when last seen but American Star can be excused his run in the Gimcrack on ground that was probably quicker than ideal. Croupier won with plenty to spare on his nursery debut over course and distance but has been hit with a 10lb hike in the ratings. NUANCE (NAP) had to be ridden out to hold off Prosperous Voyage at Chester but the pair pulled well clear and the runner-up has since placed in a Group 3 and a Group 2 so the form looks solid and he can give 1lb to the consistent Altraif.
Nuance 5-4fav (9-2) Broke smartly and led, ridden clear 2f out, driven out, won at Chester 7f stks (4) gs in Aug beating Prosperous Voyage (9-3) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Croupier (IRE) 5-4fav (9-9) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, hung left and quickened clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Newbury 7f (5) gd in Aug beating Gaius (9-9) by 3l, 10 ran.
Altraif 5-4fav (9-5) Prominent, nudged along over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead inside final furlong, won at Kempton 7f stks (4) pol in Sep beating Al Jaddaf (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
American Star (IRE) 18-1 (9-0) Edged right start, held up in midfield, outpaced 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 14 1/4l behind Lusail (9-3) at York 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Secret Strength (IRE) 13-2 (10-2) In rear, headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Kit Gabriel (9-7) at Pontefract 6f (4) gf in Sep.
Like A Lion (IRE) 11-1 (9-8) Raced keenly early, chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and weakened well over 2f out, 9th of 10, 15l behind Cresta (9-2) at Leicester 7f stks (4) gs in Aug.
Jazz Club (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Edgy, raced far side, pulled hard and overall leader, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 20, 1l behind Harrow (8-9) at Doncaster 7f stks (2) gf in Sep.
