took keen hold early, settled in touch, pushed along 3f out, no where to go from 2f out until inside final furlong, ran on strongly towards finish
led for 1f, settled 3rd, went 2nd 3f out, led inside final 2f, soon hung right, driven and headed final 100 yards, no extra and lost 2 places near finish
chased leaders in 4th, ridden, hung right and stayed on same pace final 2f
behind, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
in rear, driven along and struggling early straight
in touch, effort on rails when badly hampered inside final 2f, recovered and switched left to chase leading pair inside final furlong, pushed along and ran on well to lead final 100 yards
behind, ridden over 2f out, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong to take 2nd near finish, not reached winner
slowly into stride, soon recovered to lead after 1f, pushed 3 lengths clear early in straight, joined 2f out, soon hung right and headed, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, raced keenly and soon tracked leaders on inner, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Habshan is taken to come out on top over Titian Dancer and Esquire, with Joseph Henry worth a mention at least. Habshan has been in good form of late, humping 10st around in class 4 company on each of his last three outings, at Warwick, Windsor and here in between, and although this race is a bit tougher he deserves to take his chance. He held on well when scoring here last month, and is the pick over some in-and-out performers. The big question regarding Esquire is will he be fit enough to do himself justice, having been off since last August. The Godolphin inmate has been well entered up, so we can assume that he will be, but has he got the class? Titian Dancer receives weight all round but needs to find more, while Joseph Henry has looked one-paced of late, but remains well handicapped. Habshan is the pick.
Unshakable (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, some late headway over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 12, 3l behind Waterside (9-10) at Sandown 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Esquire 14-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden well over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 14l behind Stronghold (9-7) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (3) gd in Aug '05.
Habshan (USA) 9-2 (10-0) Settled in touch, effort on rails 2f out, driven to chase winner inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Bold Act (9-6) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Red Cape (FR) 9-1 (9-1) Close up, ridden over 2f out, every chance of a 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 8l behind Dream Theme (9-2) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Silver Blue (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Always in rear and struggling final 2f, 7th of 8, 8l behind Inchloch (9-9) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Gaelic Princess 14-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 12th of 14, 11l behind Bee Stinger (9-6) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) frm.
Titian Dancer 11-2 (9-5) Dwelt, held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on strongly, just failed, 2nd of 9, nk behind Night Cru (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Joseph Henry 9-4fav (9-9) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 2l behind Lucayan Dancer (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 1f app hcp (3) gf.
