tracked leader, came centre over 4f out, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, stayed towards far side over 4f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, stayed towards far side over 4f out, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, came centre over 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, held up, came centre over 4f out, ridden and headway 2f out, driven and edged left inside final furlong, led post
towards rear, came centre over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, came centre over 4f out, ridden 2f out, effort to lead and edged left inside final furlong, hung right towards finish, joined post
tracked leaders, came centre over 4f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, came centre over 4f out, outpaced over 2f out, driven over 1f out, kept on
held up, came centre over 4f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, came centre over 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on
held up in rear, came centre over 4f out, ridden and headway 2f out, staying on to go 3rd towards finish when short of room, squeezed out and snatched up near line
The pair that stand out off the page here are Confront and HUNTDOWN and we just prefer the latter. With Godolphin's runners going very well, this Elusive Quality colt is taken to build on a good effort on his seasonal return when runner-up to Imbongi in the Group 3 Criterion Stakes at Newmarket. Fast ground should suit and this trip looks to be his optimum, so he can make the most of the age allowance. Confront is weighted to go very close and you would not put anyone off backing him except that there must be a nagging doubt that he won't have enough speed now dropped back in trip for the first time in two years. In saying that, his prominent style of running is suited to the Knavesmire and those opposing have plenty to worry about. Balcarce Nov steps into this grade after landing a decent mile handicap at Haydock and has won on firm ground before, so looks well up to being competitive today. Lingfield specialist Abbondanza is well worth a try in this, and he will be at home if there is a decent pace on ground he enjoys. Secret Society has a few pounds to find to get competitive, but conditions and trip suit and the colt should not be too far short of this class. Dream Eater will appreciate the drop to this grade and he has got plenty of ability in context. This looks a good piece of placing by Andrew Balding and he may well be up to the task, but we prefer the less exposed Huntdown.
Abbondanza (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Pushed up to lead, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, chased winner after until no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Ordnance Row (9-2) at Windsor 1m Listed stks (1) gf in May.
Balcarce Nov (ARG) 66-1 (10-0) Held up behind, headway on outside over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, just held on, won at Haydock 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd beating Billy Dane (8-13) by ns, 12 ran.
Battle Paint (USA) 11-2 (9-9) Behind, headway from 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, one pace and lost 2nd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Eisteddfod (9-4) at Kempton 6f 3yo stks (3) pol in Mar.
Beckermet (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Chased leader after 1f, ridden to challenge leader over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Doncaster Rover (8-10) at Chester 6f Listed stks (1) gd.
Confront 4-5fav (9-0) Soon led, driven over 3f out, hard ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Mac Love (9-3) at Salisbury 1m Grp 3 (1) gf.
Court Masterpiece 20-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, kept on but no real impression from over 1f out, 10th of 19, 9l behind Laa Rayb (9-6) at Goodwood 1m hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Dream Eater (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Raced keenly, led over 1f, remained prominent, pushed along when not much room well over 1f out, not quicken entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 3l behind Finjaan (8-9) at Goodwood 7f stks (1) gd in Jul.
Pointing North (SAF) 11-2 (9-4) Mid-division; ridden 600m out; one pace, 7th of 11, 5l behind Valedictum (9-2) at Nad Al Sheba(UAE) 7f hcp 0-110 fst in Feb.
Tombi (USA) 20-1 (9-11) Towards rear, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 6th of 15, 3l behind Quest For Success (8-11) at Hamilton 6f hcp 105 (2) gd in Jul.
Huntdown (USA) 9-1 (8-8) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Imbongi (9-3) at Newmarket 7f Grp 3 (1) gd in Jun.
Royal Confidence 12-1 (9-2) In touch, effort over 2f out, one pace when hampered and squeezed out well over 1f out, 12th of 13, 12l behind Summer Fete (8-9) at Goodwood 7f fll stks G3 (1) gd in Jul.
Secret Society 5-1 (8-3) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, edged left, 2nd of 21, 1/2l behind Al Muheer (8-10) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gd in Jul.
