led until 4f out, weakened quickly over 2f out
mid-division, headway to dispute 3rd 2f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold in mid-division on inside, driven along and one pace final 2f
always towards rear, pushed along 3f out, one pace and struggling final 2f
held up in rear, headway final furlong, never a threat
tracked leading pair, 2nd 4f out, driven to lead over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong
behind most of way
raced wide, keen towards rear, pushed along 4f out, soon outpaced
started slowly, wel behind, ridden on inside over 3f out, never a factor
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no chance with winner final furlong, kept on for clear 2nd
close up in 5th, pushed along 4f out, ridden and stayed on to 3rd 2f out, no chance with leading duo
It looks a big clue that Frankie Dettori isn't riding Con Artist for his boss but instead will be on EMERGING ARTIST for the boss' son so the latter gets the vote with the consistent Major Phil looking a big threat. After winning on just his second start the pick found no disgrace in finding a potentially Group Class horse too good at York on handicap debut. There's nothing in this field as good and off the same mark with Frankie up he looks the call. Con Artist beat home the listed class Fatanah on his second start before completing the two-timer with a handicap victory at Windsor. His up 3lbs up for that, which seems fair but the absence of the stable's jockey looks a big negative. Major Phil seems top be always in the mix but may just be a little high in the handicap after a rise in weights despite a good run in defeat last time. Grey Bunting has squeeze a win between a couple of runner's up spots so off bottom weight has a chance but with Dettori on Emerging Artist that one has to get the call.
Braveheart Move (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong, won at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sep beating Merchant Of Dubai (10-0) by nk, 9 ran.
Safari Sunup (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Dwelt, soon tracked leading trio, pushed along 3f out, soon driven along, disputing modest 3rd 1f out, no chance with leading duo, 4th of 7, 7l behind Verdant (8-10) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Reve De Nuit (USA) 33-1 (7-13) Took keen hold, held up, headway over 9f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, no danger, 5th of 14, 11l behind Dangerous Midge (8-10) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (4yo+) (2) gf.
Major Phil (IRE) 2-1fav (9-9) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 3f out, raced center from over 2f out, chased winner entering final furlong, kept on and always held, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Camerooney (8-9) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Sohcahtoa (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Held up, headway to chase leaders 7f out, pushed along 3f out, weakening when hampered soon after, eased, 13th of 14, 19l behind Submariner (9-1) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jun.
Emerging Artist (FR) 9-2 (9-3) Led 2f, tracked leader, led again over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, not quicken final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind La De Two (10-0) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Strategic Mission (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 9th of 11, 14l behind Perfect Stride (8-10) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp (2) gf in Jul '08.
Donaldson (GER) 16-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden over 4f out, gradually weakened, last of 10, well behind Follow The Flag (8-6) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Wing Play (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, soon switched right, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 14l behind Snow Dancer (8-13) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Changing The Guard 4-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, ridden and edged left over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 7l behind Snow Dancer (8-13) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Officer In Command (USA) 25-1 (9-7) Dwelt, in rear, reminders over 4f out, no impression, last of 8, 22l behind Jutland (8-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Con Artist (IRE) 6-4fav (9-2) Made all, set steady pace, quickened 2f out, ridden and ran on, won at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jun beating Valiant Knight (9-0) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Grey Bunting 15-2 (9-5) Held up in 5th, pushed along 3f out, headway to 3rd over 1f out, edged right under pressure and went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, always held, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Sparkling Smile (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
