tracked winner until 7f out, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, until inside final furlong
in rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms
made most, ridden clear entering final furlong, eased near finish, unchallenged
held up, headway to track winner 7f out until ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
keen, in rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
held up, never a factor
MANIGHAR is the tentative suggestion in an intriguing renewal where Duncan and Opinion Poll clearly merit respect. The last named is a progressive performer who will surely make his mark in Pattern company before the season is out but he has shown all of his best form with cut in the ground and was taken out recently when the rain didn't arrive. Duncan is William Buick's preferred mount ahead of King Of Wands and is a proven campaigner at this level and the one to beat at the weights but he was outbattled last time and could be worth opposing at a short price. Luca Cumani was responsible for last year's winner and the Royal Oak third Manighar is a live candidate on debut for this yard as he should have sufficient speed to cope with this drop back in trip but he's sure to have bigger targets ahead of him and his penalty may anchor him. Holberg is another dropping in trip on debut for a new yard and could be popular but we'll take a chance with Manighar despite the concern about the weight concession and fitness as he may have sufficient class to cope although a market check is advised.
Halicarnassus (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Raced well off pace in rear, ridden straight, stayed on without threatening from 2f out, 4th of 6, 8l behind Fame And Glory (9-0) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in May.
Manighar (FR) 9-2 (8-9) 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Ask (9-4) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 7f Grp 1 sft in Oct.
Opinion Poll (IRE) 11-8fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon clear, heavily eased well inside final furlong, won at Nottingham 1m 6f Listed stks (1) sft in Apr beating Montaff (8-11) by 4l, 10 ran.
Blue Monday (8-9) 4th of 11, 2l behind Crossharbour (8-9) at Deauville(FR) 1m 2f Grp 3 gd in Aug.
Holberg (UAE) 7-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden to challenge approaching 2f out, carried right, squeezed through, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon drew clear, driven out, won at Royal Ascot 2m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun '09 beating Yankee Doodle (9-1) by 4l, 14 ran.
King of Wands 6-4fav (8-8) Tracked leaders, driven 3f out, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Ripon 1m 4f stks (3) gf in Apr beating Tactic (8-12) by 1l, 5 ran.
Red Merlin (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden and no response 2f out, 8th of 9, 11l behind Claremont (8-12) at Newbury 1m 5f Listed stks (1) gf in May.
Snoqualmie Girl (IRE) 28-1 (8-11) Held up, never dangerous, 5th of 6, 18l behind Harbinger (9-3) at Chester 1m 5f Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
Duncan 4-5fav (8-12) Held up tracking leading pair, cruised up on bit over 2f out, soon challenged and hung right, led 1f out, outbattled well inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Barshiba (8-7) at Ascot 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gf in May.
Sans Frontieres (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Mid-division, outpaced 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 8, 9l behind Debussy (9-0) at Chester 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gs in May.
