settled towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon chased leader, led 1f out, shaken up and clear inside final furlong, ran on well
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon one pace, faded inside final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, no impression final furlong
always behind, outpaced 2f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd near finish
behind, ridden over 2f out, outpaced and weakened final furlong
settled rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd near finish and closed on winner close home
prominent, chased leaders 2f out, effort over 1f out, not quicken and one pace final furlong
Salient gets the confident vote here with Councellor and Vortex rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair second behind Fajr last time out that form looks rock solid and as he looks sure to get an easy lead he looks a value bet. Coucellor rates the main danger on his latest third behind Bonus but he now looks in the handicapper's grip and he looks opposable on that basis. Vortex goes well at the track but he is another that looks weighted up to his best. Of the remainder, Andronikos best form is over a shorter trip and with this in mind for the winner we return to Salient.
Vortex 8-1 (9-2) Held up, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 8, 11l behind Hotel du Cap (9-2) at Newbury 7f lst stk (1) gf in Sept.
Councellor (FR) 8-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on well for 3rd, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Bonus (9-2) at Kempton 7f lst stk (1) pol.
Andronikos 14-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 11th of 13, 7l behind Bonus (9-2) at Kempton 7f lst stk (1) pol.
Markab 66-1 (8-7) In rear, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Vanderlin (9-1) at Chester 1m hcap (2) gf in Sept, 15 ran.
Salient 13-2 (8-5) Led 3f, led again over 3f out, clear over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Fajr (9-8) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Zafonical Storm (USA) 50-1 (8-13) Squeezed out start, towards rear, lost touch over 2f out, soon eased, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Orchard Supreme (8-8) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Sept.
Ektimaal 9-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra, 9th of 13, 4 1/2l behind South Cape (8-12) at Goodwood 7f hcap (2) gf in Sept.
Regal Quest (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Towards rear, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, nearest finish, 6th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Bonus (9-2) at Kempton 7f lst stk (1) pol.