held up, effort and headway on outer over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out
held up, headway halfway, ridden over 3f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
chased leader, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, pushed along over 5f out, led over 2f out, raced alone stands side from over 1f out, ridden clear final furlong
led, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
in rear, effort over 5f out, headway over 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
In an interesting stayers' event, we will opt for Mister Arjay ahead of Leo McGarry and Rose Bien. Mister Arjay has solid form from around today's mark and, versatile with regard to the going, looks set to go well today. Kayf Aramis has a career-high mark to defy if going to score, while Thewhirlingdervish might not be as good as he once was but he loves it here, although heavy rainfall might not help his claims. Rose Bien is marginally above a winning mark but her best form has come on good or quicker, while Optimum, who comes into this race on the back of a win, is maybe better on Fibresand. The handicapper has taken a dim view of True's selling romp last time, although she might some grab some place money, which is may be the best also that Compton Eclaire can hope for, but Leo McGarry looks a progressive young stayer, the type that his trainer does so well with, and he will appreciate the gallop today more so than when he went to Newcastle last time. He is very much respected but, for the selection, we will side with Mister Arjay.
Kayf Aramis 8-1 (8-11) Started slowly, soon led, ran wide and headed bend after 7f, behind afterwards, stayed on again final furlong but never dangerous, 7th of 12, 6l behind High Point (9-0) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Rose Bien 7-2fav (8-10) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 8l behind Whispering Death (9-9) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul.
Jumeirah Scarer 11-2 (9-7) Led 2f, dropped rear after 4f, headway over 4f out, ridden and one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Sharaab (8-6) at Thirsk 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
Mister Arjay (USA) 13-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd halfway, led 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Indonesia (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Optimum (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Made all, ridden 3f out, stayed on gamely, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcap (6) fbs in Jul beating Ego Trip (9-4) by a hd, 14 ran.
Compton Eclaire (IRE) 9-2fav (9-7) Towards rear, pushed along 4f out, one pace final 2f, 6th of 14, 7l behind Rare Coincidence (9-0) at Carlisle 1m 6f app hcp (6) gd.
True (IRE) 5-1jt-fav (9-9) Held up, headway over 5f out, led over 2f out, soon ridden clear, won at Catterick 2m sll (6) gf beating Dimashq (9-3) by 7l, 13 ran.
Leo McGarry (IRE) 8-15fav (8-2) Held up, driven and headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression when veered badly left inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 4l behind Indonesia (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
