held up, effort on outside 2f out, stayed on same pace, no impression
tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, kept on under pressure final furlong, not pace to challenge
tracked leader, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out
took keen hold, held up behind leaders, stumbled and pulled up approaching final furlong (broke down)
squeezed out start, behind, never on terms
made all, in command final furlong, ridden out
prominent on outside, ridden to challenge 2f out, chased winner but no impression final furlong
The presence of Atavus virtually assures that there will be a very strong pace set, which is expected to suit Ruby Rocket, who gets all the allowances available and is selected over fellow improver So Will I. The Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained Coconut Penang has a little to prove after a couple of below par efforts and, like Colonel Cotton, is one to be wary of for the time being. Whereas Var is an interesting recruit from the States that adds a further dimension to the race. However, the five-year-old will find this course a diverse contrast to the likes of Calder and Churchill Downs and it is probably advisable to see how he copes with the change before getting involved with him in the future. Lyndgate is a similar type that was far from disgraced when finishing ninth in the King's Stand at Ascot. However, he has not enjoyed the best of preparations since then and the jury is out as to whether he can give weight and a beating to his rivals at this level. Therefore, we prefer to side with Ruby Rocket, whose consistency will stand her in good stead here. The daughter of Indian Rocket is versatile regarding ground preference and, as she gets a stone in weight from the Godolphin runner, she has plenty in her favour this afternoon.
