steadied in rear, strong headway over 2f out, led on bit well inside final furlong, hard held
steadied start, tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon no impression
in touch, raced keenly, effort over 1f out, soon every chance, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner
prominent, ridden over 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, kept on under pressure
led, ridden and headed well inside final furlong, faded quickly
Royal Oath is the pick in this quality contest with Cesare and Ordinance Row put up as alternatives. The John Gosden team are in flying form at the moment and this colt should have few fitness issues as he had a couple of runs at the Dubai Carnival. Although beaten by Cesare at Ascot when the pair met last term, he is better in at today's conditions and if the headgear works, he should take the beating. Cesare was a real filip to connections last term. He has won when fresh and seemingly acts on any surface. Ordinance Row deserves the chance to graduate from handicapper to listed performer. He has never won so early in the season so is probably best watched on this occasion. Don't Panic slightly disappointed behind stable companion, Medicine Path, when they met in the Doncaster Mile on soft going. That horse disappointed badly at the weekend. Drumfire looked in need of the run of reappearance. Caldra is probably better with more give underfoot. Royal Oath is potentially open to more improvement based on what we have seen thus far and we side with him accordingly.
Cesare 11-4fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, lost action and eased over 1f, last of 15, 24l behind Miss Lucifer (8-12) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 (1) gs in Oct.
Caldra (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Jalmira (8-11) at Newmarket 1m lst stk (1) gd in Nov.
Don't Panic (IRE) 6-4fav (8-12) Behind, headway to lead 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Medicine Path (9-1) at Doncaster 1m lst stk (1) sft.
Drumfire (IRE) 6-4 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 3, 6l behind Raptor (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m stk (3) gd.
Ordnance Row 8-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 13, 5l behind Windsor Knot (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Royal Oath (USA) 3-1 (9-0) Mid-division, good headway 2f out, no extra close home, 5th of 16, 2l behind Lord Admiral (9-0) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 1f Grp 2 (1) frm in Mar.
