held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, switched left and shaken up inside final furlong, stayed on well and left 3rd final 50 yards
in touch, pushed along when switched left 2f out, weakened soon after
chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold, in touch, effort to chase leaders 2f out, driven over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden and edged left 1f out, narrowly headed when carried left inside final furlong, disputing held 3rd when squeezed out final 50 yards
chased leaders towards stands side rail, strong challenge and hung badly left from over 1f out, disputing lead throughout final furlong, faltered towards finish, just failed
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, soon chased leaders, led narrowly inside final furlong, went right close home, just held on, all out
green and soon pushed along in rear, some headway final furlong
chased leader until weakened quickly over 2f out
took keen hold, chased leaders, edging left 2f out, every chance when carried left inside final furlong, disputing one pace 3rd and held when badly hampered final 50 yards
This is a tricky puzzle. But it's also a race to savour for future reference; with MURBEH tentatively forwarded as the one to be with on this occasion. He is taken to outshine his stablemates, Buckland and Papas Fritas, as the main contender from Brian Meehan's yard. Of the others: the betting market will be informative as to whether Cai Shen is the better fancied of Richard Hannon's pair (he also sends out Moriarty), so it may be advisable to hang-fire for an opening show before deciding on which 'Hannon horse' you fancy. Aramid was well held behind King Torus last time out but may have more to offer when he goes handicapping; so he would appear to be a work in progress for now. However, as ever with a race of this nature, there is a lot of clutching at straws until some solid evidence becomes available. Murbeh does hold some fancy entries, though. And given that his campaign could potentially be far more interesting than the others, the Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned gelding gets the benefit of the doubt today.
Aramid (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Tracked leader until over 2f out, ridden and slightly outpaced, kept on final furlong, 6th of 11, 9l behind King Torus (9-3) at Leicester 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in May.
Buckland (IRE) Oratorio colt out of Dollar Bird.
Cai Shen (IRE) Iffraaj colt out of Collada.
Cruiser Oasis Dream colt out of Good Girl.
Forty Proof (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 7l behind Fight The Chance (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul.
Gentle Lord Ishiguru colt out of Soft Touch.
Moriarty (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3f out until inside final 2f, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 17, 13l behind Waiter's Dream (9-3) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Jul.
Murbeh (IRE) Elusive City gelding out of My Funny Valentine.
Papas Fritas Dr Fong gelding out of Locharia.
Titan Diamond (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden over 3f out, well beaten when hung left over 1f out, 7th of 10, 13l behind Arctic Mirage (8-8) at Chepstow 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gs in Jul.
Buddy Miracle 22-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 6l behind Black Moth (9-3) at Bath 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
