held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, never near leaders
keen, held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened and eased 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden and hung left 3f out, never near leaders
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
made all, ridden and stayed on gamely final furlong
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f
close up, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
chased winner throughout, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
Nonrunner
In a good contest, Irish Quest gets the vote ahead of Mull Of Dubai and Metaphoric. Irish Quest has got his act together of late and comes here seeking a third-straight win. Much as this is tougher than his recent Haydock success, he won with something in hand there and a win could well sneak him into the Cesarewitch, in which he could be interesting. Mull Of Dubai has been competing well in these types of races all season and his mark does not look prohibitive. Rajeh, who finished just ahead of him at York last time, also has to get a mention. The lightly-raced Metaphoric looked an improver when running well in the Melrose Stakes last time and is another to give plenty of thought to, while Generous Jem is on a roll and a seven-pounds rise for her latest success does not entirely rule her out. Henry Cecil's hat-trick seeking Ajaan is also a lightly-raced improver who has to be given serious thought. Finally, being lightly-raced, Aajel is open to improvement and Futun has won here over 12 furlongs and races now from a winning mark but faces no easy task giving weight to some improving rivals. Chief among these, for us, is Irish Quest, who is the selection.
Futun 7-1 (9-12) Soon pushed along in rear, ridden and some late headway 2f out, never able to challenge, 13th of 19, 10l behind Galactic Star (8-13) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Mull of Dubai 8-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, not reach leader, 4th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Galactic Star (8-13) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Metaphoric (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Towards rear, pushed along when outpaced over 4f out, driven and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 19, 3 1/2l behind Speed Gifted (8-11) at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Camps Bay (USA) 10-1 (9-1) Mid-division, effort 3f out, no impression, 9th of 19, 9l behind Speed Gifted (8-11) at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Dundry 5-2 (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge 3f out, weakened over 1f out, virtually pulled up, last of 4, well behind Ogee (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Jul.
Aajel (USA) 6-1 (9-0) Held up, headway on outer to lead over 2f out, headed 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Ajaan (8-7) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Ajaan 11-10fav (8-8) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, soon driven and switched to stands' side rail, kept on well under pressure (hand-timed), won at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Aug beating Newnham (8-8) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Inchpast 100-1 (7-12) Mid-division, weakened over 5f out, 16th of 34, 21l behind Sergeant Cecil (9-8) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct '05.
Irish Quest (IRE) 7-4fav (9-5) Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf beating Spanish Diva (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Rajeh (IRE) 66-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 19, 4l behind Galactic Star (8-13) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Aug.
Generous Jem 9-4jt-fav (8-13) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, went 2nd entering final furlong, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Players Please (9-4) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcap (3) gf.