chased leader, led over 4f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
in rear, headway 1f out, ridden and ran on to go 2nd near finish, not reached winner
mid-division, effort 2f out, weakened 1f out
in rear, not clear run over 1f out, switched right, never nearer
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
led, headed over 3f out, chased leader, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, effort when short of room 2f out, weakened 1f out
in rear, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong until near finish
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden out
raced wide, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
Al Farahidi sprung back to life last time but is still opposable dropped back to six furlongs for the first time, while Ancien Regime needs a first-time visor to work the oracle following several abject displays this term. Our preference is for OLYNARD, who lost his maiden tag here and arrives on the back of a fair fourth at Windsor. That came in a slightly more competitive race than this and he's a pound lower, so everything looks in place for a big run with plenty of pace to chase. Bravo Echo's last two runs can be ignored as he's a much better horse on this surface and Michael Attwater's charge is of each-way interest just 5lbs higher than winning a better race here earlier this year while Little Garcon is a relatively unexposed three-year-old with course and distance winning form. Bella Swan drops in grade and along with Wildcat Wizard and Five Star Junior helps make this a fascinating end to proceedings.
Ancien Regime (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Chased leaders far side, lost place over 1f out, beaten and eased final furlong, last of 28, 25l behind Evens And Odds (8-10) at Goodwood 6f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Wildcat Wizard (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Switched to race stands side, behind, ridden 2f out, never dangerous, 13th of 15, 9l behind Tajneed (9-1) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Bravo Echo 9-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 14, 7l behind Tropical Paradise (9-2) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Olynard (IRE) 7-2fav (9-10) Close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on, not pace to challenge, 4th of 10, 2l behind Caledonia Princess (8-2) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Aug.
Arteus 10-1 (8-2) Took keen hold and prominent, ridden 2f out, saddle slipped soon after and eased, tailed off, last of 12, 35l behind Smarty Socks (8-6) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug.
Bella Swan 15-2 (9-6) Held up behind, outpaced over 2f out, switched right to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace, never on terms, 5th of 10, 8l behind Gramercy (9-6) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Al Farahidi (USA) 12-1 (9-1) Went badly left start, keen tracked leader, clear with leader 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Kakatosi (9-6) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Aug.
Soap Wars 8-1 (9-10) Slowly into stride, towards rear, struggling over 2f out, last of 11, 10l behind Arabian Mirage (9-10) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Aug.
Little Garcon (USA) 7-2fav (9-0) Outpaced and well in rear, stayed on from over 1f out, never going pace to get competitive, 7th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Perfect Blossom (8-5) at Goodwood 5f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jul.
Oil Strike 4-1 (9-0) Keen in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on, not pace to challenge, 4th of 9, 6l behind Fleeting Echo (8-12) at Newbury 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Aug.
Ivory Silk 20-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along halfway, no chance after, 8th of 11, 7l behind Arabian Mirage (9-10) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Aug.
Five Star Junior (USA) 15-2 (9-10) Slowly into stride, always behind, 10th of 11, 8l behind Sohraab (9-1) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Aug.
