chase leader, effort over 2f out, weakened quickly
slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, driven halfway, soon weakened
led, headed over 5f out, soon under pressure, ridden and weakened over 1f out
prominent, led over 5f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, ran on well, never reached leader
behind, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, never on terms
held up in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on well
in rear, effort over 3f out, soon beaten
Four Star General is truly fascinating on his return to action however a safer option may be to side with MUTANAKER who seems to be improving with each start; Willing Foe joins Herostatus on the list of dangers. A tremendous maiden in store and the selection improved from first to second runs when filling third spot behind Mortbet at Leicester. His stable is just starting to creep back into form and he is the nominal selection. The 80-rated Four Star General returns from 650 days on the sidelines and has a first start for Henry Cecil since leaving Aidan O'Brien. It's interesting that his new connections have kept the faith, whilst Herostatus is from a wonderful family and needs a market check making his belated debut over a trip that may be ideal. Sagamore looks to be starting off over the right trip as well and is fascinating for a yard that do well at the track, Toymaker is a similar story, whilst Willing Foe is a fascinating contender as well. He was a beaten even money favourite at Wolverhampton in November however this half-brother to Michita is a son of Dynaformer and he looks sure to relish this longer straight; rule him out at your peril. The rest look up against it unless Missionary improves markedly on his disappointing Lingfield debut, so preference is for Mutanaker.
Four Star General (IRE) 11-10fav (9-3) Ridden to lead after 1f, ridden and challenged 1f out, strongly pressed final furlong and headed close home, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Cnocan Gold (8-12) at Fairyhouse 6f 2yo mdn sft in Oct '08.
Herostatus Dalakhani gelding out of Desired.
Missionary 16-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, reminders 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 10, 39l behind Zigato (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol.
Mutanaker 17-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Mortbet (8-13) at Leicester 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gd.
Sagamore Azamour colt out of Annalina.
Toymaker Starcraft gelding out of Eurolink Raindance.
Willing Foe (USA) Evensfav (9-3) In touch, pushed along over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, no impression after, 6th of 12, 6l behind Powerful Melody (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Joan D'Arc (IRE) 40-1 (8-12) Close up on outside, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 12l behind Mountain Hiker (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo mdn (4) gf.
Smirfys Copper (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Always in rear, last and struggling 3f out, tailed off, 11th of 13, 42l behind Mirror Lake (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in Jun.
