held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, challenged over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace
went right start, reminders, led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon beaten
held up and keen, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led last 50 yards
led for 1f, chased leader, ridden to lead again over 2f out, under pressure over 1f out, headed last 50 yards, no extra
held up towards rear, weakened over 4f out
This looks a good opportunity for the smart Fajr to get back on the winning trail, Medicine Path and Somnus look to be the main dangers. His current rating may be a bit over the top but nevertheless he has gone well against good opposition recently. He wasn't beaten far behind Welsh Emperor last time out and a repeat of that run could be good enough. Medicine Path will be a tough nut to crack if recapturing last season's best form, which included a close up third behind subsequent Derby winner Authorized. He was well beaten in the French equivolent, but ran better last time out in a group three also in France and could be on the way back. Somnus has been a top class performer in the past and is no back number as his most recent run proved. The lightly raced Petrovich may prove best of the others, but Fajr is the form horse today and he gets our vote.
Gleneagles (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 6th of 14, 11l behind Boundless Prospect (9-1) at Redcar 1m clm (4) gs in Sept.
Fajr (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Raced keenly, held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Welsh Emperor (9-0) at Leicester 7f stk (4) gs in Oct.
Petrovich (USA) 11-8fav (9-8) Slowly away, took keen hold, soon close up, ran in snatches, weakened rapidly over 3f out, virtually pulled up final 2f, last of 12, well behind Langford (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Oct.
Medicine Path (8-11) In touch, pushed along disputing 3rd straight, headway on inside to press leader over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 7, 5l behind Loup Breton (8-11) at Longchamp 1m 1f 3yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Jun.
Blue Rocket (IRE) 40-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 6th of 14, 8l behind Very Wise (9-5) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Little Darlin 500-1 (8-4) Raced keenly, prominent, lost place 7f out, behind final 5f, tailed off, last of 7, well behind New Guinea (9-2) at Leicester 1m 4f stk (4) gs in Oct.
Somnus 14-1 (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, no impression, 5th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Appalachian Trail (9-6) at Doncaster 7f stk (3) gd in Oct.
