tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, held on gamely when pressed inside final furlong, found extra, all out
led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on one pace
tracked leaders on outside, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, every chance when slightly short of room and checked towards finish
tracked leaders on inside, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, settled in rear in touch, headway and closed on winner well inside final furlong, every chance and edged left just held near finish
SAINT ARCH has less to prove than most here and consequently is selected. Watergate landed a modest contest at Catterick in impressive style before being asked to tackle a nursery at Newbury where he was sent off a short-priced favourite. He failed to run his race there but has been allotted the same mark as the selection so has to be feared in receipt of weight. Ajjaadd appeared to have an excellent form chance a week ago but was visually unimpressive even allowing for the fact that it was his first start since July. He will need to have made a remarkable turn around in a week. Prayer Boat has achieved more than On The Edge but appears to have a good bit to find on all known form and there's also the prospect of improvement from Saint Arch. He was weak in the market but finished strongly on soft ground at Folkestone to run out a ready winner of an average maiden. The third has won since to give the form some substance and Saint Arch is taken to retain his unbeaten record.
Saint Arch (CAN) 10-1 (9-3) Chased leader, led 3f out, drew well clear final furlong, stayed on strongly, ridden out, won at Folkestone 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct beating Burma Rock (9-3) by 6l, 13 ran.
Watergate (IRE) 6-4fav (9-10) Went left start, raced keenly, tracked leader on outer after 2f, ridden 3f out, no headway, weakened 2f out, soon behind, 6th of 8, 23l behind Lahaleeb (8-1) at Newbury 7f 2yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Ajjaadd (USA) 5-4fav (9-3) Started slowly, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, never threatened leaders, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Star Links (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Oct.
On The Edge (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) Prominent, close 3rd halfway, ridden over 2f out, soon no extra and weakened, 8th of 9, 11l behind What's Up Pussycat (8-12) at Curragh 6f 2yo lst stk hvy in Sept.
Prayer Boat (IRE) 25-1 (7-13) Prominent, close 2nd approaching halfway, ridden in 2nd under 2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 16, 5l behind Tomas An Tsioda (9-0) at Naas 6f 2yo prm hcp sft in Oct.
