led, ridden and hung left 2f out, soon headed, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on under pressure, inside final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, headway to challenge over 2f out, kept on, no impression final furlong
Sir Mark Prescott's Manipulator has obvious claims on the form shown when winning at Hamilton last month but is not certain to appreciate the softer surface today so we side with Naaddey over Moulin de Mougins, who looks the only other possible danger. The way Manipulator won last time suggested that there would be more to come, especially over a longer trip, but a lot of Danehill's progeny prefer a faster surface. The testing conditions should hold no problems for the selection, who is also bred to come into his own over further being out of the Ribblesdale winner Bahr. Mick Channon's colt ran with promise on his Salisbury debut and is taken to go one better here with plenty of improvement anticipated. Moulin De Mougins sprung a surprise when winning over course and distance last month and has more to do in better company today under his penalty. The remainder make limited appeal with Thadea probably the best of them.
