Godolphin

15 ran 1m43.10  
Owner: Godolphin

A race dominated from start to finish by Al Marmoom, but he's always looked a good horse, and it's credit to the next 3 home, all newcomers, that they got near him, though there'll be widespread improvement out of this field, many late-maturing types among them. AL MARMOOM (USA) admittedly had a valuable edge in experience, but it was still impressive how he dealt with this lot, no relation to the longer trip, as he was much the best at all stages, stretching out well, able to coast home; he'll climb the ranks next year. TAARAB (Refuse To Bend half-brother to useful 8f/10f winner Serengeti; dam unraced daughter of Prix Saint-Alary winner Rosefinch, herself out of Oh So Sharp) may well turn out to be as useful as his winning stablemate, as, despite the difference in experience, there was little between them this day, Al Marmoom taking it easy late on but Taarab hardly pushed to the limit, either, finishing well all the same; he'll stay at least 10f. PALACEFIELD (IRE) (120,000F, 60,000Y; dam, sparsely raced, closely related to very smart performer up to 10f Bahhare and half-sister to high-class miler Bahri) possibly won't improve so much as those he finished up with, as he was clearly well prepared, always prominent, but his speed along the way was promising, showing the influence of Green Desert, and dropping in trip could be the making of him. HIDDEN BRIEF (280,000Y by Barathea, half-sister to several winners including useful Irish 7f to 9.5f winner Hazariya, and dam 10f winner over there) is a full sister to Hazarista who ended up placed in the Irish and Yorkshire Oaks after one mid-field run as a 2-y-o, and that's a strong recommendation for this filly, as is the high promise of her debut, clearly learning through the race, only really starting to open up come the line; she's something to look forward to in 2009, likely to go a long way. OCEAN'S MINSTREL finished as close as he did partly down to fitness and know-how, but the step up in trip probably also contributed to his improvement. GREY GRANITE (IRE) (€25,000Y, £53,000 2-y-o Dalakhani half-brother to fairly useful Irish 9f winner Alassio and 2 winners abroad; Irish-trained dam Royal Ballerina second in Oaks and Irish Oaks) proved one paced when it mattered, but only to be expected, bred to need time and, moreover, a stiffer stamina test. DONCOSAQUE (IRE) is only clinging on to his rating from Wolverhampton, as that's a standout on his record, but the ground has been some excuse the last twice, also rather isolated out wide here. INCENDO should be more of a force at this trip (and indeed further), no clear run here, but at least it sets him up for handicaps next season. KAOLAK (USA) was flattered by his proximity to some smart horses on his debut, ready to roll that day, but, American bred, he's better than he could show under these testing conditions. DANIEL DEFOE (USA) (by Smart Strike; dam, smart miler, granddaughter of Dafayna, herself half-sister to 2000 Guineas winner Doyoun) got some experience in while he still could on turf this year, and he certainly needed it. SIR FREDDIE (Fraam half-brother to several winners, including smart stayer Sarangani and 10f winner Opalette; dam stayer) was very green, but, on pedigree, he's one more for the longer term, anyway. CHORAL SERVICE (by Pivotal; dam unraced half-sister to smart middle-distance stayer Sacrament) is a brother to multiple 8f/10f pattern winner Chorist who made a similarly inauspicious start late at 2 yrs. KNOCK THREE TIMES (IRE) (20,000Y first foal by Hernando of useful 8f to 12f winner, including in Scandinavia) hadn't much idea. GOLDEN EAGLE (220,000Y Montjeu half-brother to fairly useful 9.5f winner Gold Prospect; dam, 10f winner, out of Irish/Yorkshire Oaks winner Pure Grain) didn't last long up with the pace. VIN DE ROSE (by Tipsy Creek out of 14f winner) showed nothing.