raced wide mid-division, progress halfway, ridden to chase winner over 2f out until 1f out, weakened final furlong
in rear, plenty to do 3f out, headway 2f out, ridden and hung right final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
slowly into stride, always in rear, behind final 4f
raced wide, in touch, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, tracked leader 8f out, led 6f out, clear 3f out, eased final furlong
mid-division, progress 6f out, hampered over 3f out, ridden to go 3rd 2f out, chased winner 1f out, kept on one pace
in rear, plenty to do 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leaders, weakened 3f out
mid-division, weakened 3f out
in rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer
mid-division, weakened 4f out
held up, pushed along halfway, ridden over 3f out, kept on, never near leaders
led, headed 6f out, chased winner until over 2f out, weakened 1f out
tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, weakened 3f out
Arashi has been running well in similar contests but the booking of leading amateur Simon Walker for Irish raider STRIKING FORCE looks significant and it may be worth taking the hint. The gelding drops back in trip but should have the pace for this trip and is on a fair mark. Safari Journey is of obvious interest given his trainer's good record on the level and he has the assistance of a promising young rider but he was held on two forays in this sphere last year. Switched Off is unbeaten in two starts for his new yard and merits respect whilst it will be interesting to see what the market makes of the lightly raced Gtaab. Talenti was impressive in a seller at Windsor but it remains to be seen whether he has the stomach for this whilst Touch Of Style has more on his plate than when winning at Bath.
Oriental Cavalier 16-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra last 50 yards, 5th of 14, 4l behind Antigua Sunrise (9-0) at York 1m 4f app hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Switched Off 9-4fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden to challenge and carried head awkwardly from 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Haydock 1m 4f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) sft beating Follow The Sun (10-0) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Bavarica 20-1 (10-8) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 15, 6l behind Maybe I Wont (9-13) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f am hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Wing Play (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up, never a factor, 10th of 15, 8l behind Maybe I Wont (9-13) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f am hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Bramalea 5-1 (11-7) Prominent, led 10f out, soon headed, led again and hung right from 4f out, headed 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Kings Troop (11-8) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Mykingdomforahorse 9-2 (9-6) Held up in mid-division, headway over 3f out, every chance approaching final furlong, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Royal Trooper (9-6) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Talenti (IRE) 13-8 (9-11) Tracked leading trio, headway on outside going well inside final 3f, went 2nd inside final 2f, led and hung right to rail over 1f out, ran on well, eased close home, won at Windsor 1m 4f sell stks (6) gs in Aug beating Timocracy (10-2) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Benfleet Boy 13-2 (9-13) With leader and clear, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 8l behind Warne's Way (9-11) at Newbury 1m 4f ladies hcap (5) sft in Oct.
Safari Journey (USA) 10-3fav (9-10) Tracked leaders, effort on inside 3f out, not quite pace to challenge over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 4l behind Venir Rouge (9-7) at Newbury 1m 3f app hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun '09.
Arashi 25-1 (9-11) In rear, plenty to do 2f out, ran on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Maybe I Wont (9-13) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f am hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Ramora (USA) 25-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, weakened towards finish, 7th of 10, 11l behind Perception (9-7) at Kempton 2m hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Striking Force (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, some headway early straight, 7th under 2f out, kept on into moderate 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Anshan Dreams (9-5) at Dundalk 2m hcp 50-75 pol.
Megalala (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Chased leader 1f, settled 3rd, narrow lead 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed pressing winner until no extra just over 1f out, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Switched Off (10-8) at Goodwood 1m 3f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gd.
Gtaab 25-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 3f out, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 9l behind Hula King (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 2yo mdn stks (4) pol in Oct '08.
Touch of Style (IRE) 11-4fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, headway to track leaders 7f out, ridden over 2f out, effort and every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf beating Zelos Diktator (9-2) by 1l, 10 ran.
