raced keenly in mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
in touch, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on strongly
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear when pulled up over 7f out
prominent, hung left from over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
broke well, soon steadied into mid-division, effort over 2f out, stayed on closing stages, never nearer
led until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, driven and every chance over 2f out, weakened 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on well, never on terms
The handicapper looks to have got to grips with most of these for now. Seek Again is 7lb higher than his earlier win at Newmarket but he still finished ahead of King George River last time. Butterfly McQueen was raised 12lb for July's victory at Ascot and King Of The Danes was upped the same amount for winning at Goodwood back in May. But THOUWRA may prove the exception and defy a further hike in the weights as he returned an easy winner at Epsom last month. He should also have the edge on the less exposed Jeeraan, who went close at Headquarters last time, and gets the vote.
King George River (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Held up stands side, well beaten over 2f out, 22nd of 31, 20l behind Educate (9-9) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Seek Again (USA) 14-1 (8-12) Held up in rear stands side, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, unable to trouble leaders, 5th of 31, 4 1/2l behind Educate (9-9) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Butterfly Mcqueen (USA) (8-11) 2nd of 11, 1l behind Akemi (8-11) at Chantilly(FR) 1m 3yo stk gd in Sep.
Thouwra (IRE) 6-4fav (9-7) Held up last, headway travelling strongly when not clear run towards inside briefly over 2f out, ridden and quickened to lead aproaching final furlong, clear inside final furlong, eased close home, won at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Sep beating Melvin The Grate (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Gabrial's Kaka (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Took keen hold tracking winner, ridden 2f out, soon lost 2nd, no impression when lost 3rd inside final furlong, soon no extra, 5th of 8, 8l behind Powder Hound (8-9) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Sep.
Centurius 17-2 (8-11) Behind, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 8, 7l behind Short Squeeze (8-11) at Haydock 1m hcp 105 (2) gd in Sep.
Romantic Settings 10-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, not clearest of runs on inside over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, closed on 2nd, no chance with winner, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Powder Hound (8-9) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Sep.
King Of The Danes 11-4 (9-1) Took keen hold, held up tracking leaders in 5th, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 8l behind Powder Hound (8-9) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Sep.
Lillebonne (FR) (8-9) 5th of 7, hd behind Roi Charles (8-13) at Marseille(FR) 1m 2f 3yo stk gs in Jun.
Jeeraan (USA) 8-1 (8-13) Held up, headway to track leaders over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 1 3/4l behind Mabait (8-9) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sep.
Beedee 5-1 (8-13) Mid-division on outside, pushed along over 3f out, weakened inside final 3f, last of 10, 17l behind Weapon Of Choice (9-1) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sep.
