slowly away, in rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never near to challenege
in touch, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, not pace to challenege
pulled hard close up, ridden over 1f out, carried head high and led inside final furlong, driven out
raced wide, mid-division, ridden and weakened well over 1f out
short of room soon after start and dropped to rear, effort on inside entering final furlong when hampered and snatched up
held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd near finish
tracked leader, ridden halfway, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, soon short of room, no extra towards finish
prominent, ridden to lead well over 1f out, soon hung left, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
close up, ridden 2f out, weakening when not much room inside final furlong
Excusez Moi had the beating of Maltese Falcon last time but over this different trip both may have to give best to King Orchisios, who can come back to form. Kevin Ryan's runner had a nice pipe opener three weeks ago and is very effective over this mimimum trip, and his best form certainly marks him out as a leading contender on a surface he handles well. Excusez Moi has been highly tried by Clive Brittain and is one of the class horses of this races, but he would definitely be better over further and so is opposed. Maltese Falcon is 3lb better off for over three lengths with that opponent last time and may handle this trip a little better, so can get closer this time. Esteem Machine likes it here but has plenty to find and c&d winner Matsunosuke may be a better proposition, but this is not a strong contest for the money and King Orchisios can prove good enough.
Excusez Moi (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway on outer from over 1f out, edged left, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 6f lst stk (1) pol in Feb beating Ceremonial Jade (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Maltese Falcon 12-1 (9-3) Led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 12, 4l behind Excusez Moi (9-0) at Lingfield 6f lst stk (1) pol in Feb.
Conquest (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Always towards rear, 15th of 20, 10l behind Fonthill Road (8-12) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Oct.
Esteem Machine (USA) 13-2 (8-11) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 13th of 16, 9l behind Obe Gold (8-6) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct.
King Orchisios (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Close up on outside, ridden, weakened well over 1f out, 11th of 12, 11l behind Excusez Moi (9-0) at Lingfield 6f lst stk (1) pol in Feb.
Matsunosuke 11-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders centre, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on, no extra towards finish, 4th of 17, 2l behind Sunrise Safari (8-7) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.
Merlin's Dancer 7-1 (9-1) Led, ridden 2l clear 1f out, headed and no extra near finish, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Halsion Chancer (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Silver Prelude 16-1 (8-7) Led, hard pressed 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 7th of 10, 4l behind Orpsie Boy (8-13) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Stoneacre Lad (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Raced alone stands side, behind final 3f, last of 13, 9l behind Judd Street (8-12) at Newmarket 5f lst stk (1) gd in Oct.
Tartatartufata 16-1 (8-5) In rear, outpaced after 2f, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Canadian Danehill (9-1) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-100 (2) std.
