pressed leader, disputed lead over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, prominent, raced keenly, ridden to lead just over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon outpaced by winner
pulled very hard, close up, quickened to lead inside final furlong, asserted final 100 yards, pushed out readily
led, narrowly, joined over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakening when slightly hampered 2f out, soon weakened
behind, ridden along well over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, never nearer
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge and led 2f out, every chance when headed just over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner
started slowly always in rear, struggling over final 2f
Favourites have won six of the last seven runnings of this contest and with a cautionary note over the ground RILEYSKEEPINGFAITH is taken to add to the roster while Touching may prove next best. The selection is the most experienced in this line up and has already been tried in both Group 2 and Group 1 company by the Channon yard. The latter was his most recent run, when outclassed at Deauville but prior to that he had shown much the best form on offer here. He has handled good to soft, and given that his dam was bred in Ireland there is a better than average chance that he will handle it soft too. This step up in trip should be no problem and we will side with him. Touching looks a nice filly for Richard Hannon and has not been out of the frame in three starts winning a Kempton maiden along the way. Her course and distance third in the Star Stakes last time out makes her a leading player here. Wingwalker saw off 16 opponents to land a Newmarket maiden on debut and won't mind conditions. She should improve but she needs to here and the same can be said of Parthenon, who did well at Leicester first time. Both should be at home in the conditions, which may not be the case with Ayrus, but we'll take Rileyskeepingfaith to score.
Parthenon 3-1 (9-3) Led 6f out, ridden 2f out, headed briefly 1f out, rallied and ran on, won at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn (4) hvy beating Imposing (8-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Rileyskeepingfaith (9-0) Pressed leaders, ridden and beaten over 2f out, 13th of 14, 17l behind Bushranger (9-0) at Deauville 6f Grp 1 (1) gs in Aug.
Wingwalker 9-4fav (9-3) Pulled hard close up, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied to lead again inside final furlong, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Aug beating Delegator (9-3) by 1l, 17 ran.
Ayrus (USA) 28-1 (8-13) Chased leaders for over 3f, soon struggling, never back on terms, last of 8, 12l behind Snoqualmie Girl (8-8) at Salisbury 1m 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Aug.
Confucius Captain (IRE) 5-1 (8-8) Chased leading pair, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Portugese Caddy (9-2) at Folkestone 6f nov stk (4) sft.
Touching (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, outpaced final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Honest Quality (8-12) at Sandown 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Jul.
Augusta Gold (USA) Medaglia d'Oro colt, half-brother to several winners including the useful Lear Spear.
