soon pushed along in rear, outpaced from halfway
tracked leader, shaken up to lead over 1f out, soon clear, comfortably
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon struggling
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon outpaced by winner, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish
prominent 2f, struggling from halfway
held up, headway to chase leading pair over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
He will not be much of a price but it is hard to see beyond ATLAAL who is preferred over Marius Maximus and Maragna. This is a race that lacks any strength in depth and it looks a perfect opportunity for Atlaal to open his account. He shaped with plenty of promise on his debut before a slightly disappointing effort at Nottingham last month. However, that race has worked out well and in this company he should quite simply be too good for his rivals. Marius Maximus was a 120,000gns breeze-ups buy and for that reason he is considered, but he was well beaten on his debut and he will need to make giant strides to get competitive today. Maragna shaped with a bit of promise on his debut but he was then well beaten over this course and distance, and off the back of that effort he is hard to recommend. It would be a surprise if Sharp Shoes, Mr Prize Fighter or Ancient Oak were good enough to contest the finish, so we will return to Atlaal as the obvious choice to lead them home.
Ancient Oak 50-1 (9-3) Slowly away, outpaced throughout, last of 8, 30l behind Magical Macey (9-3) at Haydock 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf.
Atlaal (USA) 1-4fav (9-3) Chased leader, under pressure halfway, headway over 2f out, never on terms, 4th of 9, 4l behind Astrophysical Jet (8-12) at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Aug.
Maragna (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) In touch, pushed along halfway, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 8, 16l behind Elusive Sue (8-12) at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf.
Marius Maximus (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) With leaders, ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out, last of 10, 42l behind Coolminx (8-12) at York 5f 2yo mdn (3) gs.
Mr Prize Fighter 100-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 10th of 13, 19l behind Cracking Lass (8-9) at Thirsk 7f 2yo mdn (4) sft.
Sharp Shoes 25-1 (9-3) Broke well, soon in rear, ridden and weakened halfway, last of 5, 27l behind Our Jonathan (9-3) at Pontefract 5f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.