led, headed 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
raced keenly in touch, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
behind, headway and effort over 2f out, soon beaten
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, ran on final furlong, never able to challenge
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway halfway, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden to challenge, not pace of winner
in touch, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, never on terms
held up mid-division, pulled hard, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, smooth headway 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, ran on strongly, impressive
Nonrunner
Peter Chapple-Hyam's Coordinated Cut came here for his debut with a big reputation having been backed for the Derby and his backers were not disappointed as the son of Monjeu ran out a good winner of that maiden so he has to be respected but Aidan O'Brien has a fine record in the Racing Post Trophy and can win it again with ST NICHOLAS ABBEY, with Elusive Pimpernel rated the main danger. The selection has won both his starts in good fashion, following up his maiden race success at the Curragh with a comfortable win a Group 2 race at the same venue subsequently. Both of those wins came with plenty of give underfoot and the son of Monjeu can complete a hat-trick. Mark Johnston's Shakespearean looks to be going the right way having won his last two starts, the Solario Stakes and the valuable Goffs Million at The Curragh but this is tougher and he may have to settle for minor honours at best. Saeed Bin Suroor has done really well with his juveniles this term and his runner, Al Zir, has done everything asked of him in winning both starts so far but this is a lot stiffer an assignment than the conditions race that he won here last time and it will be a surprise if he is good enough. John Dunlop's Elusive Pimpernel has also won both his starts so far and should appreciate the extra furlong today having only just got up late on to win the Group 3 Acomb Stakes at York last time. He rates the main danger to St Nicholas Abbey, who is expected to give Aidan O'Brien another Racing Post Trophy triumph.
Al Ghazal (USA) Evensfav (8-11) Soon led, niggled along 3f out, clear 1f out, eased inside final furlong, won at Leicester 1m 2f 2yo stks (3) gf beating Realisation (8-13) by 5l, 3 ran.
Al Zir (USA) 3-10fav (9-2) Made all, pushed along and in command over 1f out, stretched well clear final furlong, eased near finish, won at Doncaster 7f 2yo stks (2) gf in Sep beating Treadwell (9-0) by 5l, 3 ran.
Coordinated Cut (IRE) 10-11fav (9-3) Prominent, pushed along halfway, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well and driven out inside final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m 2yo mdn (3) gf in Sep beating Tactician (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Dancing David (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Raced on stands side rail, made virtually all, green, edged left and joined main group approaching halfway, in command final furlong, stayed on well, won at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd beating Tamaathul (9-3) by 2 3/4l, 16 ran.
Elusive Award (USA) 9-2 (9-6) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division on inner, 5th halfway, switched right 2f out, headway to challenge 1f out, kept on well to lead well inside final furlong, won at Dundalk 7f 2yo stks pol in Sep beating Miracle Match (9-0) by hd, 9 ran.
Elusive Pimpernel (USA) 7-2 (9-0) Behind and soon outpaced, never travelling, switched right and headway over 1f out, soon hard ridden, ran on strongly inside final furlong, led post, won at York 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug beating Emerald Commander (9-0) by hd, 10 ran.
Hanson'd (IRE) 4-7fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, shaken up to lead well over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sep beating George Benjamin (9-3) by 6l, 10 ran.
Morana (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, switched left and ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon hard ridden, ran on to lead last strides, won at Ascot 1m 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs beating Prompter (9-0) by hd, 8 ran.
Musaafer (IRE) 4-11fav (9-3) Keen, made all at a canter, won at Pontefract 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sep beating Finest Reserve (9-3) by 6l, 7 ran.
Shakespearean (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Soon led, strongly pressed from over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, all out, won at Curragh 1m 2yo aut gd in Sep beating Marfach (9-3) by shd, 19 ran.
St Nicholas Abbey (IRE) 2-5fav (9-1) Soon raced towards rear in 7th, progress from before straight, 3rd over 2f out, soon challenged under pressure in 2nd, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Curragh 1m 2yo stks G2 gd in Sep beating Layali Al Andalus (9-1) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Big Audio (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Led, ridden 2f out, soon hard pressed, rallied when headed briefly and led again towards finish, just held on, won at Salisbury 1m 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Aug beating Dubai Miracle (8-13) by hd, 8 ran.
