slowly into stride, behind, ridden halfway, never dangerous
mid-division, effort over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon one pace
chased leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, not pace to challenege
chased leaders over 4f, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on under pressure
keen hold tracking leaders, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weaknened over 2f out
mid-division, weakened well over 2f out
slowly into stride, behind, some headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, ridden halfway, soon beaten
held up towards rear, some headway over 1f out, never on terms
led, headed over 1f out, rallied and every chance inside final furlong, weakened close home
Rankayo Hitam finished a length and a quarter behind McConnell over course and distance at the end of December but is taken to reverse the placings this afternoon; Miss Mujanna and Hit The Roof may prove best of the opposition. McConnell has oft looked a winner waiting to happen but John Best's Derby entry will need a strong pace to score at this trip and there's no guarantee of that happening here. That proved to be his undoing last time and he's going to need the cards to fall right today. Stan Moore's colt was supported into favouritism last time following a promising debut but got a little outpaced before picking up and finishing a never nearer third. He's still learning the game and the fitting of a visor should help focus his mind on the job; he's well worth another chance. Hit The Roof has had his limitations exposed but Miss Mujanna found only a well regarded sort too strong for her last time and her chance must be respected. Samurai Warrior and Marie Claude are also worth a second look but Rankayo Hitam is the pick.
Den's Boy 66-1 (9-3) Slowly away, always behind, last of 15, 25l behind Baronovici (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Jul.
Hit The Roof 13-8 (9-3) Took keen hold, led 2f, tracked leader after, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Grand Strategy (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3yo mdn (5) pol.
McConnell (USA) 11-4 (8-13) Held up in touch, pulled hard, driven and headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Hucking Hero (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Piccolo Pride 25-1 (9-3) Slowly in to stride, always outpaced, last of 11, 37l behind My Mate Pete (9-3) at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Dec.
Rankayo Hitam (USA) 11-4fav (9-3) Took keen hold in touch, ridden 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Age of Reason (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Dec.
Samurai Warrior 7-2 (8-11) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind King Hafhafah (8-11) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Oct.
Walton House (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Started slowly, towards rear, ridden 3f out, outpaced well over 2f out, 5th of 6, 16l behind Fair Gale (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Dec.
Always Attractive (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Pushed along early, always in rear, last of 13, 15l behind Love of Dubai (9-0) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) gf in Oct.
Dara Diva (IRE) Barathea filly, half-sister to winning miler Daromann and middle-distance winner Witch Hunt.
Fortunes Maid (IRE) 25-1 (8-0) Soon outpaced, 6th of 10, 19l behind Elusive Lady (8-4) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Nov.
Marie Claude 5-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride and outpaced, last of 9, 17l behind Wise Melody (9-0) at W'hampton 6f 2yo fll mdn aut (6) pol in Dec.
Miss Mujanna 15-2 (8-12) Chased winner throughout, ridden 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Whitcombe Minister (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
