keen, towards rear, ridden 2f out, never near leaders
held up towards rear, headway entering final furlong, ridden and ran on, not reach winner
in touch, pushed along and headway approaching final furlong, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ridden out and edged left close home
keen in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, faded inside final furlong
led 2f, tracked leader, ridden to lead again over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
led 8f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
dwelt, switched left, in rear, never on terms
Nonrunner
Subsequent Group 1 winner Tryster proved too good for third-placed GRENDISAR in this contest last year. But Marco Botti's charge is in great heart at present and beat Maverick Wave, Fire Fighting and last year's runner-up Complicit to land the Winter Derby over course and distance last month. It's difficult to see any of the latter trio turning the tables in this though Complicit is a big price if back to his very best after a couple of poor efforts. Battalion also ran below par behind Grendisar at the end of last year though the Listed winner is capable of going close on his day and has plenty in hand at the weights with the likes of Watersmeet and Winterlude. Pia Brandt won the first race on the card at last year's Championships but Metropol has raced here before and is yet another with something to find with Grendisar.
Complicit (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 9 1/2l behind Grendisar (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Feb.
Fire Fighting (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 8, 5l behind Grendisar (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Feb.
Grendisar (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) In rear, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Feb beating Maverick Wave (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Man Of Harlech 9-4 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 5, 3 1/4l behind Solar Deity (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (2) pol in Jan.
Maverick Wave (USA) 2-1fav (9-12) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Our Channel (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Metropol (IRE) (8-12) 5th of 7, 4 1/4l behind Tempete Nocturne (8-12) at Cagnes-sur-Mer 1m 2f stks pol in Feb.
Political Policy (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd under 2f out, went 2nd under 1f out, strongly pressed winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Watersmeet (9-2) at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Mar.
Watersmeet 10-11fav (9-2) won at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Mar beating Political Policy (9-2) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Winterlude (IRE) 7-2jfav (9-4) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, edged left under pressure and stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Mar beating Spes Nostra (8-10) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Battalion (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Steadied start in rear, plenty to entering final 2f, hung left and ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Don't Be (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stks (1) pol in Dec.
