raced wide, in touch, chased leader over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway on outer from over 2f out, ridden and stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, soon led, ran on
led, headed 6f out, chased leader until ridden and weakened approaching 2f out
in rear, outpaced over 3f out, ridden and kept on from over 1f out, never nearer
held up, behind final 3f
chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten
slowly into stride, always in rear, behind final 3f
mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on
in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
keen, tracked leader, led 6f out, ridden three lengths clear 2f out, hung left and headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
held up, ridden and headway 2f out, never nearer
A wide open contest rounds off the card and there is very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Siena Star, Kings Topic and Blockley and the narrow vote is given to Siena Star. The selection was a fair second behind Western Roots last time out, that form looks solid and off the same mark here he looks the one to be on. Kings Topic rates the main danger on his latest second behind Blue Eyed Eloise but he has already indicated he would be suited by an even longer trip and he is taken on with this in mind. Blockley has dropped to a handy mark but may just need the run after a 294 day break. Bienheureux is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is hard to win with. Bahhmirage has won three classified races of late but will need to improve again to win in this grade and with this in mind for the winner we return to Siena Star who is at the top of his game at present.
Siena Star (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 2f out but always held, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Western Roots (8-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (6) pol.
Kings Topic (USA) 11-8fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, every chance 1f out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Blue Eyed Eloise (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Sir Duke (IRE) 15-8fav (8-12) Always prominent, led 5f out until over 3f out, led again over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo stk 0-55 (6) pol in Oct beating Ardmaddy (8-12) by 2l, 11 ran.
Blockley (USA) 13-2 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden over 5f out, pressed leader over 4f out until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 10, 8l behind Western Point (8-5) at Yarmouth 1m 3f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Senor Set (GER) 6-1 (9-2) Mid-division, beaten when hampered over 2f out, 9th of 14, 21l behind Desert Sea (8-8) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jul '06.
Bahhmirage (IRE) 11-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon hard ridden, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at W'hampton 1m 1f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Mar beating High Five Society (9-0) by a nk, 13 ran.
Bienheureux 7-2 (9-0) Close up, ridden and outpaced halfway, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 10, 18l behind Nimello (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (6) fbs in Mar.
Ruling Reef 9-2jt-fav (8-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, driven and ran on towards finish, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Princelywallywogan (8-9) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
