tracked leaders, effort when hampered and not clear run over 1f out, no chance after
led, driven and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, hung right and every chance inside final furlong, not pace of winner
tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon headed and weakened
held up, outpaced 3f out, headway and not much room over 2f out, switched right and squeezed through to lead inside final furlong, comfortably
always towards rear
held up in touch, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon edged right, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up towards rear, pushed along over 6f out, headway over 2f out, hung right under pressure over 1f out, staying on when short of room inside final furlong
Tungsten Strike has a good chance if he decides to put it all in however preference is for 2006 winner DISTINCTION ahead of Metaphoric and Sanbuch. The selection is a game old stick and at nine years of age comes here in fair form. He just found the company a little hot last time behind Yeats in the Goodwood Cup and back on a favourite old stomping ground he should run well. Sanbuch and Petara join Metaphoric in a strong four-year-old challenge and all of the younger generation need respect. The best may be Metaphoric who looks progressive, although Sagara would have a good chance if back to his old French form. Balkan Knight is a strong stayer and has claims although he will need a solid tempo throughout, and with that not assured, we will side instead with Distinction to regain his crown.
Distinction (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Held up in last pair, ridden over 3f out, some progress and edged right 2f out, went 4th entering final furlong, 4th of 8, 12l behind Yeats (9-12) at Goodwood 2m Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.
Tungsten Strike (USA) (9-0) Led to 2f out, still there when carried right and weakened, 4th of 7, 10l behind Kasbah Bliss (8-11) at Longchamp 1m 7f Grp 3 (1) gd.
Balkan Knight 16-1 (9-1) Held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Honolulu (9-1) at Doncaster 2m 2f Yorks Oaks (1) sft.
Land 'n Stars 25-1 (9-2) Chased leader, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 7, 17l behind Regal Flush (9-2) at Salisbury 1m 6f stk (2) gd.
Metaphoric (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Started slowly, held up in rear, headway from 3f out, stayed on to lead over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, won at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gs in Jul beating La Vecchia Scuola (8-5) by 2l, 14 ran.
Petara Bay (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Raced in 4th, chased clear winner 8f out, closed over 4f out, led narrowly 2f out, headed and out battled final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Tungsten Strike (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 6f lst stk (1) gs in Aug.
Sagara (USA) 5-1 (9-1) Held up, headway 5f out, ridden and outpaced 3f out, never on terms, 6th of 9, 12l behind Honolulu (9-1) at Doncaster 2m 2f Yorks Oaks (1) sft.
Sanbuch 6-4fav (9-7) Held up, headway and went 12 lengths 3rd over 4f out, ridden and no impression final 2f, lost moderate 3rd last stride, 4th of 8, 4l behind Tungsten Strike (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 6f lst stk (1) gs in Aug.
