Verdict

Some powerful yards are represented in this and even the newcomer Kota Sas is worth a second glance on his belated debut as the gelding cost 150,000gns as a yearling. However, RUBAN looks to have the best piece of form on offer as he was only beaten a head by another wearing Godolphin's colours at Kempton last month with a subsequent winner back in third. He's preferred to stablemate Representation but Surreal and Natural Bloom are likely to improve for the longer trip and Fly Solo could also figure ahead of Isthmus.

Formwatch

Kota Sas (IRE) Cape Cross gelding out of Harda Arda.

Lieutenant Dan (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 23l behind Quality Pearl (8-9) at Thirsk 1m mdn stks (4) gd in Aug.

Fly Solo 17-2 (9-3) Chased leaders in 3rd, went 2nd over 5f out, ridden inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Caskelena (8-12) at Newcastle 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gs in Aug.

Homeric (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Dwelt in rear, headway 3f out, no impression final 2f out, 8th of 17, 14l behind Colima (8-12) at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) sft in Nov.

Isthmus 11-2 (9-0) Chased leading pair, chased winner halfway until ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 6l behind Sondeduro (9-0) at Bath 1m 2f 3yo stk 0-75 (6) gs in Jun.

Representation (USA) 15-2 (8-12) Awkward start, raced in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Storming Bernard (9-3) at Brighton 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sep '11.

Ruban (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride and pushed along, headway to 2nd 8f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, hard driven final furlong, headed last strides, 2nd of 11, hd behind Ustura (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (4) pol in Aug.

Totalize Authorized gelding out of You Too.

Zavier (FR) 9-4 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3f out, no impression when hung right inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 18l behind Swift Encounter (9-3) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Aug '11.

Glaisdale 25-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never a factor, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Sheikh The Reins (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.

Natural Bloom (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) In touch, pushed along 2f out, kept on nicely final furlong, 5th of 13, 7l behind Keene Dancer (8-10) at Windsor 1m mdn flls stks (5) gf in Jul.

Strawberry Flavour (GER) Motivator filly out of Strawberry Morn.

Surreal (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Steadied start, took keen hold in last pair, pushed along 3f out, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on to 3rd entering final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind My Body Is A Cage (8-12) at Windsor 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf in Aug.