Expert Analysis

A large field, though a fair amount of dead wood, along with a few others who failed to give their running. A high draw was a disadvantage, as usual, but the first 2 home came from stalls 8 and 9 showing that low was not necessary (at least not on ground that was good to soft rather than softer). The pace was good, but not quite as strong as is sometimes the case here. A few shifted left as they passed the intersection late on causing some crowding on the temporary rail. The winner’s final 400m went by in 22.71s for a 100.2% finishing speed if using the correct distance of 990m rather than what was advertised.

MAKAROVA (112 here, 105 previously) ran her best ever race on what was her swansong, quite close up early, struggling for pace a bit mid-race but keeping tabs on those ahead of her and responding well to pressure to lead with 100m to go, briefly hanging left. She never quite matched her form of 5f at 6f but needed a bit of a test at this sort of a trip.

BRADSELL (110+ here, 119 previously) was strictly below form but did a lot right and has the attributes to make an impact at the Breeders’ Cup, quickly away and close up, tacking across gradually but no extra on this softer ground after leading briefly with 250m to go.

BELIEVING (108+ here, 111 previously) did what she usually does at 5f/1000m, get outpaced for a while before finishing strongly for a very useful effort, briefly hanging left late on. She is proving tough and consistent as well as classy.

DESPERATE HERO (104 here and previously) ran well in a race that unfolded nicely, close up from his low draw and leading briefly 400m out.

NO HALF MEASURES (102+ here, 110 previously) ran quite a bit better than the result, best of those drawn high, getting some way back before finishing with a flourish.

KERDOS (99 here, 110 previously) found things happening a bit quickly before keeping on late.

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS (98 here, 109 previously) did plenty of running up front before fading.

ROGUE LIGHTNING (95 here, 106 previously) ran respectably at best in first-time blinkers though not helped by a wide draw, fairly close up before finding little.

STARLUST (89+ here, 113 previously) looked to be running respectably at best, but was running on, when stopped in his tracks up the rail in the closing stages.

AESOP’S FABLES (83 here, 111? previously)

GRAND GREY (83 here, 104 previously)

ENGLEMERE (0 here, 93 previously)

LA BELLOTA (0 here, 108 previously)

MGHEERA (0 here, 101 previously)

MOSS TUCKER (0 here, 112? previously)

BATWAN (0 here, 103 previously)