set steady pace, shaken up and quickened over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
held up, improved over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
pressed leader, led over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, pushed out towards finish
held up, pushed along and headway well over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong
prominent, pushed along and slightly outpaced over 2f out, ridden and beaten final furlong
Saeed bin Suroor trained last year’s inaugural winner and is represented by the newcomer Raaeb but several have already shown enough to suggest they’ll be winning soon. Strait Of Hormuz showed a big improvement to finish runner-up at Chelmsford last week while Arabian Moon found only one too good at Ffos Las though the winner has been beaten since. MAORI KNIGHT was only third at Newbury on his debut but the winner is entered in the Dewhurst and the second has subsequently won. Richard Hughes’ colt may well prove good enough in this before taking up an engagement in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket later in the month. Talap looks a likely improver and is preferred to Sir Charles Punch of the remainder.
Arabian Moon 9-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Hexagon (9-5) at Ffos Las 7f stks (5) gs in Aug.
Maori Knight (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Went badly left start, behind, headway near side of group over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, went never nearer 3rd close home, 3rd of 14, 4 3/4l behind Encipher (9-5) at Newbury 7f stks (4) gs in Jul.
Raaeb (IRE) Raven's Pass colt out of Kalaatah.
Sir Charles Punch 33-1 (9-5) Chased leader 2f, stayed handy, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 12 1/4l behind Cape Palace (9-5) at Newcastle 7f stks (4) pol in Aug.
Talap 8-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ran green and shaken up inside final 2f, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Enemy (9-5) at Ascot 7f mdn stks (3) gf in Sep.
Strait Of Hormuz (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, held by winner final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Cobber Kain (9-5) at Chelmsford City 7f mdn stks (4) pol in Sep.