held up in rear of main group, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
close up in main group, chased leader over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong
pulled hard, led and soon clear, taken to far side rail over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear of main group, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong
held up in touch of main group, effort 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace
chased clear leader until over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear main group, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never nearer
Mark Johnston sent out Lovelace to win this race last year and he has another live candidate in Zakhaaref who is preferred to Lindoro and Fathsta. The Daylami colt ran the best race of his career to make Brassini work hard at Sandown (Noble Citizen fourth) and can make light of a 3lb rise in the weights by building on that run today. Lindoro has to put a below par display at Sandown behind him but he had been progressing nicely prior to that and has to be respected. That display may have been down to the good to firm ground that prevailed and any easing of conditions would suit him. Fathsta has done really well this season and is fortunate to have been dropped a pound following his run at Goodwood as nothing really went right for him there; he gives the impression that there's more to come. Those three have to give weight away here but they stand out in this field and Zakhaaref is taken to come out on top.
Lindoro 15-2 (9-5) Took keen hold in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 6l behind Main Aim (8-12) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Zakhaaref 11-1 (9-4) Led, pressed over 2f out, kept on strongly under pressure until headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Brassini (9-2) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Vhujon (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 13, 11l behind Sohraab (9-9) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Kiwi Bay 13-2 (9-7) Held up and keen, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, 4th of 6, 2l behind Manhattan Dream (8-10) at Redcar 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Nezami (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, soon edged right, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 8l behind Kalahari Gold (9-9) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Noble Citizen (USA) 7-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, effort on inside over 1f out, unable to challenge, faded well inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Brassini (9-2) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Coachhouse Lady (USA) 18-1 (9-5) Led, ridden and hung right from over 2f out, clear over 1f out, headed and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Desert Chill (9-7) at Leicester 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (4) gf in Jul.
Autumn Blades (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Raced centre, held up towards rear, good headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on under pressure, never able to challenge, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Silver Wind (9-2) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Fathsta (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, took keen hold in rear, travelling well and not clear run over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on well, nearest finish, 6th of 17, 7l behind Blue Sky Basin (8-5) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jul.
