tracked leaders, 4th halfway, smooth headway to lead over 1f out, quickened clear final furlong, very easily
tracked leader racing freely, led briefly 2 1/2f out, soon ridden and no extra, weakened
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 4th 2f out, ridden and no extra from 1f out, eased when beaten closing stages
held up in rear, headway into 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace to go 2nd final furlong but no chance with easy winner
chased leaders in 3rd, driven along 3f out and no extra from 2f out, weakened
led, strongly pressed and headed briefly 2 1/2f out, kept on under pressure until headed again over 1f out, soon no chance with easy winner and dropped to 3rd final furlong
The high-class EXCELEBRATION should have no problems taking this before heading to Newbury for the Lockinge. The Prix Du Moulin winner saw the rear end of Frankel three times last season when trained by Marco Botti and will be one of his new yard's main contenders for the big mile races this season. Beacon Lodge also has a new trainer as Dandy Nicholls has acquired him from Clive Cox. He was beaten six lengths by Excelebration in the Hungerford Stakes, however, and can hardly be expected to reverse the form but Nicholls has a brilliant record in Ireland and wouldn't be coming here for nothing. Croisultan is much better known as a sprinter and is unlikely to test the principals over this trip.
Excelebration (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Close up, ridden 2f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, soon outclassed by winner, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Frankel (9-0) at Ascot 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Beacon Lodge (IRE) 11-8fav (9-2) Tracked leading pair, effort and pushed along 2f out, soon ridden and no impression, lost 3rd 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, hung right and dropped to 5th final 100 yards, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Chilworth Lad (8-13) at Newbury 7f Listed stks 3yo (1) gs in Sep.
Billyford (IRE) 7-2 (9-9) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, pushed along 2f out, ridden in 4th 1f out, not clear final furlong, kept on close home, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Banna Boirche (10-3) at Dundalk 1m hcap pol.
Croisultan (IRE) 6-1fav (9-7) Always towards rear, eased when beaten final furlong, last of 15, 31l behind The Reaper (9-7) at Cork 6f Listed stks (1) gf.
Kargali (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, 6th on far side halfway, no threat from 2f out, 16th of 21, 12l behind Castle Bar Sling (8-11) at Curragh 1m hcp gd in Aug.
Windsor Palace (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, 9th early, no extra 2f out, 13th of 18, 31l behind Sharestan (9-4) at Curragh 1m Extended Handicap (4yo+) in Mar.
