held up in touch, chased leaders approaching final furlong, never able to challenge
held up in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
with leader, every chance over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace
led, strongly challenged from over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
always behind
chased leaders over 3f, soon lost place
outpaced in rear, never a factor
mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on under pressure, never able to challenge
prominent, effort when hung left over 1f out, soon led, headed well inside final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, out, every chance inside final furlong, not pace of winner
prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
driven towards rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, effort well over 1f out, soon lost place
dwelt, in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, nearest finish
Nocturnal Affair beat the re-opposing Ancient Cross less than a length at Doncaster last month and that pair are closely matched here, while the revitalised Internationaldebut landed a hat-trick last month, though he's now 10lb higher than his latest win in a handicap. Son Of The Cat came out just ahead of Colonel Mak when third in the Ayr Gold Cup three weeks ago and will appreciate today's faster ground, but the tentative vote in such a competitive sprint goes to the progressive SIRIUS PROSPECT. He landed a double last month, beating Lutine Bell and Castles In The Air in the process, and Dean Ivory's gelding is taken to go in again despite a 7lb higher mark. Addictive Dream and Racy are others to consider.
Nocturnal Affair (SAF) 14-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, mid-division, not clear run, switched left and headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, led close home, won at Doncaster 6f hcp (2) gf in Sep beating Confessional (8-13) by 1/2l, 21 ran.
Joe Packet 12-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders far side, led overall when groups merged 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 16, 5l behind Pastoral Player (9-1) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd.
Internationaldebut (IRE) 13-8fav (8-9) In touch but behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Beverley 5f cond Stakes (3) gf in Sep beating Favourite Girl (8-4) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Lexi's Hero (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden 2f out, unable to quicken over 1f out, hampered entering final furlong, no extra, 11th of 21, 4 1/2l behind Nocturnal Affair (9-5) at Doncaster 6f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Ancient Cross 28-1 (9-1) Mid-division stands side, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, never near leaders, 14th of 26, 10l behind Our Jonathan (9-6) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Tajneed (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Chased leaders stands side, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, no impression, 4th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Advanced (8-8) at Ripon 6f hcp 105 (2) gd in Sep.
Addictive Dream (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Mid-division, switched left and headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on to challenge and every chance towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 16, shd behind Move In Time (8-12) at Ascot 5f Listed stks 3yo (1) gd.
Sirius Prospect (USA) 9-2 (8-11) Reared start and slowly away, in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, led towards finish, ran on, won at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Sep beating Elusivity (8-6) by 1l, 9 ran.
Son of The Cat (USA) 18-1 (9-0) Behind far side, ridden and outpaced 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 26, 3 1/2l behind Our Jonathan (9-6) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Colonel Mak 16-1 (9-0) Led stands side group, ridden well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 26, 4l behind Our Jonathan (9-6) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Bajan Tryst (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon hung left, weakened entering final furlong, 20th of 21, 23l behind Nocturnal Affair (9-5) at Doncaster 6f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Sioux Rising (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Held up in rear far side group, effort 2f out, never dangerous, 19th of 24, 14l behind Cheveton (8-11) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Racy 15-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, effort when not clear run entering final furlong, ran on close home, nearest finish, 3rd of 16, 1/2l behind Marine Commando (8-8) at Haydock 5f hcp 105 (2) gs in Sep.
Kaldoun Kingdom (IRE) 9-4 (8-9) Held up in touch, effort and not much room over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out on outer, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Nasri (8-9) at Hamilton 6f cond Stakes (2) sft in Sep.
Parisian Pyramid (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Led narrowly stands side, ridden and headed when groups merged 2f out, lost place over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 9l behind Pastoral Player (9-1) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd.
Singeur (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Led overall stands side, ridden inside final furlong, edged right under pressure over 1f out, kept on, headed and no extra final strides, 2nd of 13, hd behind Advanced (8-8) at Ripon 6f hcp 105 (2) gd in Sep.
Breathless Kiss (USA) 66-1 (8-10) Behind stands side, ridden over 2f out, edged left under pressure inside final furlong, never on terms, 15th of 26, 10l behind Our Jonathan (9-6) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Castles In The Air 40-1 (8-6) Tracked leader far side, ridden and lost place over 1f out, soon weakened, 20th of 26, 17l behind Our Jonathan (9-6) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Doctor Parkes 33-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 3f out, hung left 1f out, no impression, 13th of 21, 8l behind Nocturnal Affair (9-5) at Doncaster 6f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Lutine Bell 8-1 (9-3) Dwelt in rear, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 14, 9l behind Golden Desert (8-13) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Sep.
