held up in 7th, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led, set steady pace until increased tempo 7f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, stayed on until headed and not quicken final 100 yards
held up in last pair, last and struggling 3f out, well behind final 2f, tailed off
tracked leader until 12f out, stayed handy in 3rd, stayed on to challenge and tracked leader 2f out, ridden and carried left over 1f out, 3rd and not quicken final 100 yards
held up last, ridden and headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, quickened to lead final 100 yards
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 12f out, until 9f out, stayed in 3rd, switched left over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
pulled hard, in touch in 5th, headway to 2nd and still pulling 9f out, lost 2nd 2f out, weakened over 1f out
wide most of way, held up in 8th, pushed along 3f out, no progress and soon beaten, tailed off
took keen hold, in touch,slightly lost place on inside over 4f out, headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden in 5th 3f out, driven over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
A first chance to see many of the likely cup horses of the season and YES MR PRESIDENT seems most likeliest on paper with Askar Tau and Akmal on the shortlist. Mark Johnston's charge won a staying handicap at Ffos Las with the minimum of fuss and with his trainer more than capable of handling a group class stayer, he clearly has plenty of the right attributes required to branch out from taking on the handicappers. Askar Tau is one of a number of runners from Marcus Tregoning's stable. The market will tell us how fit he is on reappearance but with the stable enjoying much better fortunes of late, he cannot be discounted from taking a major say in this race. Akmal stays two miles with few issues. He probably raced a little too keenly for his own good on reappearance and that led to him soon being picked off at the business end of matters. Aajel has evidently had issues in relation to fitness in the past though he has looked progressive when taking his chance on the racecourse. Illustrious Blue ran on in the St Simon Stakes as if to suggest that he needs further than 1m4f. This trip will tell connections plenty. Oasis Knight has ran well at this course previously. This represents the step up in class though there are no issues with regard to the going. Mojave Moon gives punters a first look at how the Dubai based runners from Godolphin have coped on their return to Britain. Yes Mr President is probably not the best in the race though at this stage of the season, he can make fitness tell.
Askar Tau (FR) 14-1 (9-4) 6th of 9, 15l behind Ask (9-4) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f Grp 1 sft in Oct.
Aajel (USA) 9-2 (9-9) Made all, ran slightly wide bend over 12f out, pushed clear over 1f out, easily, won at Yarmouth 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Aug beating Amerigo (10-0) by 5l, 4 ran.
Balkan Knight 66-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, always in rear, eased over 1f out, tailed off, last of 15, well behind Harbinger (8-11) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gd.
Electrolyser (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Held up mid-division, weakened over 4f out, 22nd of 32, 50l behind Darley Sun (8-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Illustrious Blue 9-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Red Cadeaux (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Yes Mr President (IRE) 3-1 (9-11) Keen hold early, tracked leader until led after 1f, headed halfway, soon settled 3rd, smooth headway 3f out, led 2f out, stayed on well to draw clear final furlong, easily, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp 0-105 (2) gs beating Gala Evening (9-7) by 5l, 5 ran.
Akmal 11-1 (9-0) Soon led, headed over 3f out, soon ridden and edged right, weakened 2f out, 13th of 15, 35l behind Harbinger (8-11) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gd.
Mojave Moon 9-1 (8-8) 9th of 12, 7l behind Sabotage (8-8) at Meydan(UAE) 2m stks gf in Feb.
Montaff 12-1 (8-11) Pushed along briefly leaving stalls, mid-division, headway over 3f out, hung left over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, flattered by proximity, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Opinion Poll (8-11) at Nottingham 1m 6f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) sft.
Oasis Knight (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Led early, prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 14th of 15, 42l behind Harbinger (8-11) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gd.
