held up towards rear and keen, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
led early, chased winner, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final 100 yards
held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
dwelt, in rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
held up in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kep on
tracked leader, soon led, headed over 3f out, regained lead on bit over 2f out, riddein inside final furlong, kept on under pressure
Three-year-olds have held their own against the older horses in this in the past but Cai Shen is the only representative of the classic generation this season and he was well behind Fallen Idol in a handicap at Sandown last month. John Gosden's four-year-old has to go on the short-list here now he's back in form, though he was behind Elusive Pimpernel in a Group 3 at Haydock previously and re-opposes on the same terms. John Dunlop's colt has plenty of ability but has proved hugely frustrating and there's no guarantee he'll run up to his best here, while both Sahara Sun and Zeitoper have to overcome lay-offs but wouldn't be far away if fully wound-up. At first glance, RASMY's chance isn't obvious as he finished behind Black Spirit and Fallen Idol at Sandown in July. He was in need of the run that day, however, and did a lot better when fifth at Goodwood subsequently. Marcus Tregoning's lightly-raced gelding should be cherry-ripe now and can take this.
Sahara Sun (CHI) (9-6) 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Ashtar (9-2) at Valparaiso(CHI) 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Feb.
Black Spirit (USA) 12-1 (9-3) Broke well, raced keenly in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 8l behind Dux Scholar (8-7) at Newbury 1m 2f Listed stks 3yo (1) gd in Jul.
Elusive Pimpernel (USA) 6-5fav (9-2) Tracked leader, effort over 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Opera Gal (8-11) at Windsor 1m 4f Listed stks 3yo (1) gs in Aug.
Fallen Idol 15-2 (9-7) In rear, ridden and headway 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven and soon edged right, ran on, won at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Aug beating Beaumont's Party (8-9) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Rasmy 33-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, plugged on inside final furlong, never any chance, 6th of 10, 5l behind Drunken Sailor (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul.
Wealthy (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Pulled hard in rear, never a factor, last of 10, 10l behind Dux Scholar (8-7) at Newbury 1m 2f Listed stks 3yo (1) gd in Jul.
Zeitoper 9-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, settled rear, ran on well final 400m, nearest finish, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Simon De Montfort (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 2f hcap gd in Jan.
Cai Shen (IRE) 17-2 (9-0) Always in rear, last of 11, 13l behind Fallen Idol (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in Aug.
Ceilidh House 16-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Timepiece (9-1) at Warwick 1m 3f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) gd in Jun.
