in rear, ridden on outside over 2f out, no progress
chased leading trio until weakened over 3f out, tailed off
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, hung right from halfway, went 2nd approaching final 3f, driven 2f out, no impression over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened to 4th closing stages
steadied start, held up in 6th, hung badly left on bend approaching straight and pulled up
chased winner until pushed along approaching final 3f, driven 2f out, went 2nd again inside final furlong, no chance with winner
held up in 5th, outpaced over 3f out, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd closing stages, closed on 2nd last strides
made virtually all, came clear over 1f out, unchallenged
Nonrunner
Hayaku has been knocking on the door for most of the season and was runner-up to Sadeek's Song back over this trip at Nottingham last time, albeit beaten five lengths. The winner is trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni, who should know where he stands with Paoletta who may not have stayed 1m2f on good to soft ground when favourite at Bath last month. She has every chance on earlier efforts here and at Nottingham over 1m but we'll take her on with DRAKES DRUM. He was still very green when third at Ffos Las but is heading in the right direction and could find the improvement necessary to cause a bit of an upset here.
Archelao (IRE) Cape Cross gelding out of Brindisi.
Cant Sell (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Held up, pushed along over 4f out, struggling 3f out, 8th of 9, 25l behind Frontline Phantom (9-1) at Windsor 1m 2f clm stks (6) gf.
Drakes Drum 7-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, improved 3f out, pressed for 2nd over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Quadrant (9-3) at Ffos Las 1m mdn stks (4) gs in Sep.
Jan Smuts (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, towards rear, soon pushed along and reminders, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 21l behind Boxeur Des Rues (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (4) pol in Sep '10.
Russian Affair 8-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, eased when no chance final 2f, tailed off, last of 10, 31l behind Ancient Greece (9-7) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Sep.
Floating Mountain Sakhee filly out of Engulfed.
Hayaku (USA) 9-2 (8-12) Pressed leader, led 7f out, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Sadeek's Song (9-3) at Nottingham 1m mdn stks (5) gf in Sep.
Afkar (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Mujrayaat (9-2) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep.
Paoletta (USA) Evensfav (8-12) Took keen hold, held up in mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leading pair inside final 3f, driven and no impression over 1f out, weakened to 4th, close home, 4th of 10, 6l behind Always The Lady (8-12) at Bath 1m 2f fll mdn stks (5) gs in Sep.
Shaunas Spirit (IRE) 11-2fav (8-5) Held up in touch, driven and headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Gee Major (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Shieldmaiden (USA) 4-1 (8-12) Tracked leader after 1f, carried wide on bend and hampered 2f out, chased leaders until hung right and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 8l behind Val O'Hara (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f mdn fll (5) pol in Jun.
