held up in last place, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden and stayed on towards finish
held up, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out,
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and switched left over 1f out, stayed on strongly towards finish
led after 2f, steadied pace 10f out, gradually increased pace from 4f out, ridden and ran on gamely towards finish
keen, mid-division, effort over 2f out, ridden to chase winner 1f out, gaining towards finish
keen in touch, ridden to chase winner 2f out till 1f out, one pace inisde final furlong
led 2f, tracked winner after, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
John Dunlop's AKMAL has shown improved form for being stepped up in trip of late, winning his last three starts including in a Listed race over 1m6f here last time and he can complete a fourth successive success over an extra two furlongs today, with the main threats rated as Urban Poet and Blue Bajan. Andrew Turnell's gelding should appreciate the return to this trip having been well held over 1m4f at Chester last time and he has to be respected but is likely to be placed at best. Paul Cole's Starfala ran much better when finding just The Miniver Rose too good in the Park Hill Stakes last time and she makes more appeal than John Gosden's Nehaam, who has a bit to find with the selection on running here at the beginning of the month. Saeed bin Suroor's Urban Poet was good value for his win in a conditions race at Pontefract recently and has to be considered but Akmal has shown improved form of late and can win again.
Blue Bajan (IRE) 11-4 (9-1) Slowly in to stride, behind, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, kept on under pressure final 2f, no impression, 4th of 6, 7l behind Snoqualmie Girl (8-1) at Chester 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gf in Sep.
Mischief Making (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, steady headway on rails from inside final 2f, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, soon pressing leaders, unable to quicken towards finish, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Spirit Of Dubai (8-9) at Ascot 1m 4f fll lst stks (1) gd in Sep.
Starfala 33-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, headed final furlong, rallied and every chance until held near finish, 2nd of 9, shd behind The Miniver Rose (8-6) at Doncaster 1m 7f Grp 2 flls (1) gf in Sep.
Above Average (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Mid-division, effort over 4f out, pushed along well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 11l behind Mastery (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 7f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Sep.
Akmal 3-1 (9-0) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Newmarket 1m 6f 3yo Listed stks (1) gf beating Nehaam (9-0) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Nehaam 6-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden on inside over 1f out, chased winner 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Akmal (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 6f 3yo Listed stks (1) gf.
Oasis Knight (IRE) 7-2 (8-5) Race awkwardly, took keen hold, tracked leading pair, challenging for 2nd from 2f out, soon hanging right and not keen, kept on reluctantly to 2nd final 50 yards, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Electrolyser (9-3) at Ascot 2m Listed stks (1) gf in Sep.
Urban Poet (USA) 5-4fav (8-5) Tracked leader, led before halfway, drew clear entering final furlong, eased towards finish, won at Pontefract 2m 2f cond Stakes (3) gf beating Dolly Penrose (8-12) by 5l, 4 ran.
