Verdict
Rather a messy race where a reluctant vote goes to QELAAN ahead of Zaaqya who runs in the same colours with Presbyterian Nun another that has a squeak. Dolly Penrose hasn't run over this trip since the fourth run of her career and hasn't given the impression that she's been crying out for a drop back whilst there are doubts about the ability of Featherweight, Finney Hill and Fanditha to see out a truly run twelve furlongs. Teeky won over this trip on the July course but disappointed at Kempton when last in action whilst Hollow Green appears to be paying the price for a good run earlier in the season and has something to find with the selection on their running at Goodwood. Presbyterian Nun is tried in blinkers which may bring about some improvement with Ryan Moore a positive and profitable booking for the yard. She's not too badly handicapped but has only a maiden win to her name so it may be best to concentrate on the Hamdan Al Maktoum owned runners. Zaaqya has looked a little unlucky in running on a couple of occasions but the pick of her efforts read well in the context of this race and she merits respect despite being overlooked by Richard Hills. However, we think that he may have got it right in siding with a filly who may just have been unfortunate to bump into a progressive individual last time. She had been progressing well prior to that so we'll side with Qelaan as well.
Formwatch
Dolly Penrose 15-2 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, chased winner from over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Urban Poet (8-5) at Pontefract 2m 2f cond Stakes (3) gf.
Presbyterian Nun (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Natural Flair (8-12) at Newbury 1m 2f flls hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Finney Hill 11-4fav (9-3) Made all, ridden and strongly pressed final furlong, kept on gamely, won at Bath 1m 2f fll mdn stks (5) gd beating In Secret (8-12) by nk, 14 ran.
Zaaqya 12-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 18, 1 3/4l behind Trip The Light (9-5) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Fanditha (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, chased winner from 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace and lost 2nd final stride, 3rd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Natural Flair (8-12) at Newbury 1m 2f flls hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Qelaan (USA) 3-1 (9-2) Led, clear over 6f out, hard ridden well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Rosika (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f flls hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Hollow Green (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 15, 5l behind Luc Jordan (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Featherweight (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Hanoverian Baron (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Teeky 6-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 8, 10l behind The Last Don (9-6) at Kempton 2m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Sep.
