in rear, ridden and wide into straight 2f out, kept on, never nearer
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway 1f out, kept on
always in rear
slowly into stride, always in rear
keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, lost place over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead 1f out, driven clear
tracked leaders, gradually weakened from over 1f out, eased final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, staying on towards finish
Pat Dobbs rode Richard Hannon's Elnawin when he was successful in the Sirenia Stakes at Kempton when last seen in September and again takes the mount with Richard Hughes on the lesser fancied stable companion Icesolator but it is DAMIEN that looks the one to be on. Barry Hills has his team in good form so lack of a recent run need not be of concern and a reproduction of the form shown when a close fourth behind Lord Shanakill in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes may well suffice on his reappearance. Five Star Junior has shown much improved form this term, winning his last four starts but this represents a big step up in class for the gelding and he may have to settle for minor honours at best. Clive Brittain's Nashmiah improved with each start last term, running a decent third in the Oh So Sharp Stakes on her final start of last season, and she has to be respected on her return. Doncaster Rover has the beating of the selection on their running at Chantilly in October but on the balance of previous form Damien looks the one they all have to beat.
Elnawin 6-4fav (9-0) Behind, headway 2f out, pressed leaders 1f out, rider dropped reigns entering final furlong, kept on to lead final stride, won at Kempton 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) pol in Sept beating Square Eddie (9-0) by a hd, 11 ran.
Icesolator (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Close up, ridden over 1f out, soon outpaced, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 8l behind Lord Shanakill (9-1) at Newbury 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Sept.
Damien (IRE) (8-11) 7th of 9, 8l behind Smooth Operator (8-11) at Chantilly 6f gs in Oct.
Doncaster Rover (USA) (8-11) 5th of 9, 2l behind Smooth Operator (8-11) at Chantilly 6f gs in Oct.
Five Star Junior (USA) 5-4fav (9-5) In touch, shaken up to chase leader over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, comfortably, won at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Satwa Street (9-4) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Gone Hunting 6-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, driven and soon weakened, 6th of 7, 9l behind La Capriosa (8-7) at Southwell 6f 3yo clm (6) fbs.
Joe Caster 7-4 (9-8) Held up, ridden 2f out, no impression on front two, last of 4, 5l behind Noverre To Go (9-5) at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (5) pol in Dec.
Son of The Cat (USA) 4-1 (9-0) In touch, chased winner over 1f out, effort entering final furlong, soon hung right, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Calahonda (8-9) at Great Leighs 6f 2yo stk (3) pol in Nov.
Tobond (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) In touch, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, readily, won at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov beating Peter's Gift (8-3) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Nashmiah (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Close up, ridden over 2f out, every chance from over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Souter's Sister (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Oct.
Qalahari (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to take 2nd post, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Penny's Gift (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo lst fll (1) gs in Oct.
Red Kyte 66-1 (8-10) Raced centre, led that group, headed 2f out, kept on same pace inside fihal furlong, 4th of 28, 3l behind Kingship Spirit (8-13) at Newmarket 6f 2yo aut (2) gf in Oct.
Silver Games (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) 7th of 8, 15l behind Rainbow View (8-12) at Ascot 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Sept.
Smokey Ryder 9-4fav (9-6) Made all, led, pressed 1f out, stayed on gamely, edged right well inside final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Flamsteed (8-10) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
