chased leaders, led over 2f out, held on on well
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace
soon led, headed over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, chased winner over 1f out, kept on, held towards finish
towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, not much room and switched left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in rear, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off
Luca Cumani trained the winner of this race last year and DIRAKH SHAN is certainly heading in the right direction with each run. He made most last time and if coming on from his last run can take this race. Status Symbol should have plenty of stamina reserves given the pedigree and runs so far (including two in bumpers) and may prefer a longer trip. Norman Orpen was close to the winner when last seen here and the trip shouldn't be a problem whilst Spirit Of Love is unproven at the distance and is best watched. Tariq Too could be a threat to the selection as this well bred 140,000 guineas purchase looks to start repaying connections with a win over a trip which has seemed to suit given previous efforts.
Status Symbol (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Held up last, until tracked leading trio on 1st turn, led over 2f out, pressed 2f out, soon narrowly headed, stayed chasing winner until 1f out, eased when held in 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Huff And Puff (8-9) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn auc stks (5) pol in Apr.
Superstitious Me (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Mid-division, headway on outside 6f out, ridden along 3f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong until final 100 yards, 4th of 12, 3l behind Beat Up (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Aug.
Dirakh Shan 7-2fav (9-3) Led, joined 2f out, stayed disputing, headed and outpaced by winner inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Spanish Island (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Aug.
Knowledgeable 33-1 (7-11) Always behind, 10th of 13, 17l behind Madame Excelerate (9-6) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Aug.
Norman Orpen (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Chased leading pair, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on again towards finish, not pace to threaten leading duo, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind City Ground (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Aug.
Spirit Of Love (IRE) 28-1 (8-10) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 13, 3l behind Kingsgate Choice (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Nov.
Marksbury 22-1 (8-12) Towards rear of mid-division, ridden along halfway, one pace final 2f, 6th of 13, 11l behind Spanish Island (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Aug.
Shesasnip 40-1 (8-12) With leader,pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 33l behind Tesslam (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Bigern 66-1 (9-3) Went left start, ran green, outpaced and always behind, tailed off, last of 11, 45l behind Ardent (8-12) at Doncaster 6f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gd in Aug.
Tariq Too 15-8fav (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind Knotgarden (9-7) at Yarmouth 1m 1f mdn auc stks (6) gf in Jul.
