mid-division, took closer order 5f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, soon behind
steadied start, in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden and switched left over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd towards finish
in touch, ridden 3f out, lost place 2f out
held up towards rear, never near leaders
keen, made all, ridden 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
tracked winner, ridden 2f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on
Merchant of Dubai is bound to be popular with backers having run well in all three starts this term but Alan Swinbank's gelding has gone up another 2lbs since his latest effort when beaten behind Braveheart Move at Hamilton and preference is for Sir Michael Stoute's RENDEZVOUS, who is preferred to stable companion Meethaaq. The last mentioned probably found the ground softer than ideal in the Northumberland Plate when last seen in June and he has to be considered on a more suitable surface today. Walter Swinburn's Hevelius is less exposed than most of these and has to be considered but he may just be a shade high in the weights. Mark Johnston's William Blake has shown improved form of late and has to be respected but he has failed to trouble the judge since winning his first three career starts. Stable companion Becausewecan has been punished by the handicapper for his wins in November and latterly in June but he ran well at Kempton last time and has to be considered but a 6lb rise since that latest start looks harsh and preference is for Rendezvous. The son of Sadler's Wells has only had two starts since joining Sir Michael Stoute and looks worth chancing having been dropped 8lbs since his latest effort here in August.
Philatelist (USA) 8-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened towards finish, 5th of 10, 4l behind Heliodor (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f stks (3yo+) (3) pol in Sep.
King Charles 14-1 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression until stayed on inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Kaleo (8-7) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Camps Bay (USA) 3-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 4th of 5, 6l behind Lochiel (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Dance The Star (USA) 7-1 (9-1) Slowly away, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 4l behind Petrovsky (8-13) at Ffos Las 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Sep.
William Blake 5-1 (9-10) Close up, ridden to chase winner 2f out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Laaheb (9-10) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Sep.
Meethaaq (USA) 16-1 (8-6) Raced keenly in touch, lost place over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off and eased off 1f out, 16th of 17, well behind Som Tala (8-8) at Newcastle 2m hcap (2) sft in Jun.
Hevelius 6-1 (8-10) Mid-division, one pace when not much room and ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to get competitive, 8th of 15, 4l behind Munsef (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jul.
Rendezvous (IRE) 11-2 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 27l behind Ajhar (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f cond Stakes (2) gd in Aug.
Gifted Leader (USA) 5-2fav (9-5) Took keen hold, prominent in chasing group, pushed along 4f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 17l behind Run For Ede's (8-6) at Ascot 1m 4f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gd in Jul.
Becausewecan (USA) 3-1 (8-8) Led, looked in command well over 1f out, soon ridden, headed last stride, 2nd of 7, hd behind Lethal Glaze (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Aug.
Final Victory 16-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 9l behind Akmal (9-3) at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Aug.
Dansili Dancer 14-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, headway on inside going well over 3f out, switched left over 2f out, driven to challenge to chase leader and every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Record Breaker (9-6) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gf in Sep.
Merchant Of Dubai 9-2 (10-0) Soon in touch, went 3rd 5f out, ridden to lead narrowly over 2f out, driven over 1f out, headed and kept on well inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, nk behind Braveheart Move (9-1) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sep.
