tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
keen with leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, challenged and edged left 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, headed post
keen, led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on
settled in last place, headway and switched left over 1f out, driven entering final furlong, ran on to lead post
held up in rear, ridden 3f out, no impression until ran on towards finish to go 4th post
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
in rear, never near leaders
keen in touch, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
With one winning favourite in ten runnings and two of the last three scoring at 14-1 this hasn't been a happy hunting ground for punters and there are sufficient doubts about the clear form pick, ELZAAM, to set the alarm bells ringing. However, he wasn't a well horse after his flop in July but is in rude health now and was on target for the Dewhurst. He can make light of this easier task having reportedly worked well in blinkers which is no surprise given that a number of his sire's progeny in Australia sport them. Dux Scholar took a step forwards at Ascot but needs to do so again whilst Klammer and Big Issue have their limitations at this level and of more interest may be Well Sharp and Pearl Arch as they step up in grade. Surrey Star has every right to lift this prize and no one would begrudge Roger Teal that honour after a series of near misses in recent weeks.
Azrael 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, challenged over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong to lead narrowly towards finish, just held on, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sep beating Ardour (9-7) by shd, 8 ran.
Big Issue (IRE) 5-6fav (9-0) Close up, ridden to chase winner 2f out, no impression and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Dubawi Gold (9-0) at Ascot 7f 2yo stks (2) gs.
Dux Scholar 7-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Abjer (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs.
Elzaam (AUS) 4-7fav (8-12) Went right start, tracked leaders, chased winner halfway, ridden 2f out, hung left and kept on, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Libranno (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.
Klammer 11-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, tracked leading trio, headway to 2nd and hung right entering final 2f, never any chance with most impressive winner, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Frankel (8-12) at Ascot 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs in Sep.
Madawi 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders centre, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, never troubled far side leaders, 10th of 27, 7l behind Fury (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo aut (2) sft.
Norse Blues 50-1 (9-3) With leader, slight lead halfway, ridden and still green inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sep beating Above All (9-3) by 3l, 16 ran.
Sensei (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Steadied start, tracked leading pair, switched left over 1f out, ridden and kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, 5l behind Janood (9-0) at Newbury 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gs in Aug.
Surrey Star (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) In touch, effort over 1f out, ridden to lead and edged left inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 7, shd behind Rerouted (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep.
Well Sharp 9-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride and towards rear, good headway on outer to join leader after 3f, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly to draw clear inside final furlong, won at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sep beating Sinadinou (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Pearl Arch (IRE) 15-2 (8-10) Good early speed to cross over and soon chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, led 2f out, hard ridden and stayed on gamely throughout final furlong, won at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp (2) pol beating Sagramor (9-0) by nk, 11 ran.
