pulled hard, tracked leader 10f out, led over 4f out, headed over 3f out, weakened 2f out and eased
in touch, led over 3f out, clear well over 1f out, comfortable
mid-division, headway to chase winner over 2f out until 1f out
always behind
led after 1f, headed over 4f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, never near leaders
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace
went right at start, keen, led after 1f, reamained prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened 1f out
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on, nearest finish
pulled hard, held up well in rear, never nearer
held up in rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous
keen and in touch, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, chased winner 1f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out
Descartes was well fancied when winning last time and we will stick with him to get the better of Country Pursuit and Hasayaz. The selection looks to have everything in his favour here as he is lightly-raced, proven on the surface, unbeaten, and he is sure to strip fitter for his reappearance win here earlier in the month. He hails from a yard in form and can continue his progress with another success today. Country Pursuit has the notable scalp of Young Mick on this track in the past and that effort entitles him to planty of respect, but he was a bit disappointing last time and for that reason we will taken him on. Hasayaz won well last time despite running green and he does have some solid form. He will need to improve to make his mark today but that is possible and he is one to note in the market. Florimund won well last time and is another to consider, but for the winner we are happy to stick with the unexposed Descartes.
Descartes 9-4fav (9-5) Steadied start, raced keenly, held up in rear, improved halfway, headway on bit to join leaders 2f out, shaken up, soon led, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (3) pol beating Transvestite (8-8) by 1l, 10 ran.
Millville 20-1 (9-3) Took keen hold in touch, stayed on, one pace final 2f, 5th of 13, 3l behind Pevensey (8-8) at Ascot 1m 4f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Royal Jet 10-3 (9-9) Tracked leaders, lost place 4f out, ridden, headway 2f out, effort approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Descartes (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (3) pol.
Gig Harbor 20-1 (9-12) Prominent, ridden and lost touch 3f out, soon behind, last of 10, 30l behind Balanced Budget (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Sept.
Day To Remember 9-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, weakened over 2f out, eased final furlong, last of 10, 29l behind Book Of Music (8-10) at Ascot 1m 2f hcap (2) gs.
Pevensey (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway 3f out, one pace final 2f, 6th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Peppertree Lane (8-13) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs.
Country Pursuit (USA) 9-2 (8-4) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Tartouche (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcap (2) sft in May.
Sacranun 20-1 (9-11) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 16, 3/4l behind Brief Goodbye (9-5) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Transvestite (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, wide, headway 2f out, ridden, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Descartes (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (3) pol.
Diktatorial 9-1 (10-10) Held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Rationale (9-5) at Bath 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (3) gf in Aug.
Florimund 4-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, smooth headway to track leading pair 2f out, led inside final 2f, soon in command, drew right away final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 5f mdn stk (5) pol in Sept beating Shahmina (8-12) by 7l, 11 ran.
Hasayaz (IRE) 6-4 (9-3) Held up, headway from 4f out, ran green, hung left from 3f out, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo mdn (4) pol in May beating Ermine Sea (9-3) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Robustian 15-2 (9-0) In touch, pressed leader final furlong, led last strides, won at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept beating Island Myth (9-3) by a nk, 9 ran.
Top Seed (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Held up, headway 2f out, driven to chase winner inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Ardea Brave (8-13) at Kempton 1m 4f app hcp (4) pol in Sept.
