led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced over 1f out
held up in touch, switched left and good headway over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong
tracked leader, outpaced over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 4f out, no extra inside final furlong
Nonrunner
A declaration of war from Godolphin with three of the seven runners however we will side with BEAUCHAMP XERXES to spoil the party. Gerard Butler's son of Compton Admiral has been in fair form in the latter stage of this season and his latest fourth at the track reads fairly well. The weight-for-age allowance that he receives will help and with further improvement to come over this trip he looks worth chancing. Dolly Penrose will be outclassed, whilst Young Mick is a course and distance winner however he has looked a shadow of his former self this year. Numide is a talented horse however he was in poor form over hurdles when last seen and the feeling is that it probably won't be long before he returns to timber. The obvious players then reside in Newmarket in the care of Saeed Bin Suroor. There isn't a lot between the three on official ratings however Age Of Reason is unbeaten on the all-weather and arguably looks the pick of the trio on jockey bookings. With Friston Forest and Once More Dubai looking like strong stayers, the feeling is that this race should be run at a good clip. That may suit Beauchamp Xerxes who we return to as the nomination.
Age of Reason (UAE) 2-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, headway to challenge over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 10l behind Traffic Guard (9-2) at Windsor 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gf in Aug.
Numide (FR) 40-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, never on terms, 5th of 7, 8l behind Buccellati (9-3) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct '08.
Once More Dubai (USA) 17-2 (9-8) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon led, ridden and under pressure inside final furlong, just held on, won at Leicester 1m 4f cond Stakes (3) gf in Oct beating Copperbeech (8-4) by shd, 4 ran.
Young Mick 12-1 (9-4) In touch, driven over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on final furlong, 7th of 19, 8l behind Opinion Poll (8-10) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gs in Oct.
Beauchamp Xerxes 13-2 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out on outer, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Heliodor (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f stks (3yo+) (3) pol in Sep.
Friston Forest (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Held up in 6th, ridden and beaten over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off, 6th of 10, 33l behind Schiaparelli (9-7) at Goodwood 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Jul.
Dolly Penrose 20-1 (9-11) Held up mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 10l behind Teeky (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 4f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
