led, ridden over 2f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong
close up, ridden over 2f out, driven and weakened over 1f out
mid-division, good headway to chase leader over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
awkward at start and slowly into stride, soon detached by 6 lengths, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, one pace final furlong
always in rear
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
A hard race to get a handle on; the feeling is that DEMOCRATE should improve markedly on his UK debut at Sandown in July and he is fancied to see off Rendezvous. A former Andre Fabre inmate, the selection now races in the blue of Godolphin. He won a Group Two at Longchamp in 2008 and he certainly has the class to win this race, with the stable in good form and weakish opposition it looks a good chance. Rendezvous also used to reside with Mr Fabre, and he is another who needs to get over a rather ignominious UK debut last time. He was eased when beaten behind Big Bound at Leicester but one suspects remains capable of much better. On the ratings the selection may have most to fear from Ajhar who has some solid Listed form to his name since a handicap win last September. He hasn't been seen since a poor run behind Dansant in March and also has a bit to prove. Rugell is an unknown; he didn't handle Epsom last time out, Classic Punch probably won't get an easy lead and has a tough task under his big weight, whilst Merchant Of Dubai and Cape Express look just short of this level. Democrate is a very tentative selection.
Classic Punch (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, led over 8f out, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened inside final 2f, 13th of 15, 9l behind Munsef (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jul.
Rugell (ARG) 11-4 (9-4) In touch, ran in snatches, pushed along over 4f out, weakened 3f out, last of 4, 35l behind Fairmile (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f cond Stakes (3) gs in Jul.
Ajhar (USA) 10-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 8, 10l behind Dansant (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f Listed stks (1) pol in Mar.
Cape Express (IRE) 13-8fav (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 19l behind Allied Powers (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 4f listed hcp 0-110 (1) gd in May.
Democrate 20-1 (9-5) Soon tracked leaders on out, effort and driven along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 14l behind Kirklees (9-5) at Sandown 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gd in Jul.
Merchant Of Dubai 11-4 (9-10) Chased winner, ridden over 3f out, challenged over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 9l behind Nemo Spirit (8-13) at Musselburgh 2m hcap (2) sft in Nov.
Stormy Summer 20-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden to chase leader over 3f out till 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 13l behind Dazzling Begum (8-4) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jul.
Moon Sister (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 4th of 8, 8l behind High Heeled (8-8) at York 1m 2f fll lst stks (1) gd in Jul.
Rendezvous (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 11l behind Big Bound (9-3) at Leicester 1m 2f con stks (3) gf in Jul.
