led, headed approaching 2f out, weakening when hampered over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, headway on rails over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong and gaining finish, not reach winner
took keen hold, held up in rear, stayed on final 2f, never going pace to trouble leaders
pulled hard in rear, no headway final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2f out, driven out final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden on outside 3f out, never on terms
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
tracked leaders, driven along 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
in touch on inside, not clear run over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no real chance after
Nonrunner
We will take a chance on Hibiki in the finale, with the others to make the short list being Jack Rolfe and Mirin. Jack Rolfe's York run last time, albeit in an event for amateurs, brings him into the equation, while Veenwouden may be becoming disappointing but she certainly has the ability to win a race of this nature. Tropical Strait's all-weather second to the promising Longspur at Kempton last time gives him a shout, while Venir Rouge is edging back towards a course and distance winning mark and cannot be ruled out on that basis. Much as she was disappointing last time, the drop back in trip may suit Mirin better today, and she has already won here. Finally, from jumping yards, the Paul Webber-trained foreign import, Magic Clover, and Jim Old's Counting House should be given the once over in the betting, as should Nicky Henderson's Capitana, who showed promise on the Flat here on her latest start. For the selection, though, we will stick with Hibiki.
Magic Clover (ARG) (9-6) 5th of 8, more than 10l behind Charing Cross (9-8) at San Isidro 1m 2f hcp std in Apr '06.
Counting House (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) Prominent on inner, effort and not clear run on inner inside final 2f, soon ridden and not quicken, 5th of 9, 6l behind Rayhani (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul '06.
Capitana (GER) 5-1 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden and effort over 2f out, not quicken, 8th of 10, 3l behind Viva La Flag (9-2) at Newbury 1m 2f hcap (4) gf.
History Boy 10-1 (9-4) Held up, effort over 1f out, no impression, last of 5, 11l behind Opal Haze (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Jack Rolfe 12-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Sporting Gesture (10-5) at York 1m 4f amt hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Venir Rouge 33-1 (8-8) Mid-division, switched left over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Kahara (8-7) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcap (4) gf.
Mirin 14-1 (8-5) Chased leaders until weakened over 2f out, last of 6, 9l behind Queen's Best (9-2) at Newbury 1m 4f lst fll stk (1) gf in Aug.
Galianna (IRE) 11-1 (9-9) Not much room and hampered after 1f, mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 15l behind Alleviate (8-8) at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Hibiki (IRE) 3-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway from 4f out, soon chased leader, led 2f out, driven out, won at Lingfield 1m 3f mdn stk (5) gf beating Vanquisher (9-3) by 1l, 6 ran.
Shimoni 25-1 (8-13) Tracked winner after 2f, ridden 4f out, hung left over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened, eased final furlong, last of 10, 28l behind Tempelstern (8-9) at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp (3) sft in Jul.
Veenwouden 6-4jt-fav (9-0) Tracked leader, headway over 3f out, one pace, 4th of 5, 3 1/2l behind Opal Haze (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Tropical Strait (IRE) 5-1 (9-13) Soon prominent, chased leading pair 3f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 14, nk behind Longspur (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Aug.
