led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
keen tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen in touch, ridden oiver 2f out, hung left over 1f out, not trouble leaders
held up in touch, smooth headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, shaken up and quickened clear, very impressive
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
held up in rear, ridden and ran on well final furlong, went 3rd near finish
close up, ridden 2f out, chase winner inside final furlong, no pace of winner
steadied start and switched left, keen towards rear, short lived effort on outer over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
A highly competitive renewal. Kingman has been touted for the 2000 Guineas since winning the Solario Stakes in good style and he looks sure to figure. Berkshire won the Chesham at Ascot before adding the Group 2 Royal Lodge over a mile at Newmarket to his tally. He makes more appeal than Astaire, who won both the Gimcrack and Middle Park last year and is potentially a top-class sprinter if longer distances prove beyond him. The latter beat previous Mill Reef winner Supplicant at Headquarters in the Middle Park. The Hannon yard has won this in recent years with an impressive list of subsequent Group 1 winners. Paco Boy and Dick Turpin preceded last year's winner Olympic Glory and NIGHT OF THUNDER attempts to follow in their footsteps. He signed off last season with an easy victory in Listed company at Doncaster and gets the vote. The others have some catching up to do though Golden Town, Lat Hawill and Windfast all have plenty of scope.
Astaire (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Made all, quickened 2f out, pressed inside final furlong, driven and ran on gamely, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct beating Hot Streak (9-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Berkshire (IRE) 11-8fav (8-12) Held up beind leading trio, took keen hold, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon edged left, ran on to lead narrowly inside final furlong, held on well, won at Newmarket 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Sep beating Somewhat (8-12) by nk, 5 ran.
Golden Town (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Took keen hold tracking leaders on inside, went 2nd 4f out, challenged 2f out, soon led, clear when ridden and veered right inside final furlong, kept on well, ridden out, won at York 7f 2yo mdn (2) gs in Aug beating Red Galileo (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Kingman 2-7fav (9-0) Held up tracking leading trio, smooth headway on outside 3f out, went 2nd travelling strongly 2f out, soon led, pushed clear final furlong, easily, won at Sandown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug beating Emirates Flyer (9-0) by 2l, 4 ran.
Lat Hawill (IRE) 11-4 (9-5) Resless in stalls, chased leaders, headway halfway, challenged going well 2f out, soon led, pushed clear over 1f out, kept on strongly, easily, won at Newcastle 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Oct beating Poetic Choice (9-0) by 8l, 11 ran.
Master Carpenter (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway far side over 2f out, went 2nd 2f out, driven and no chance with winner over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Bow Creek (8-13) at Newbury 7f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Sep.
Night Of Thunder (IRE) 6-4fav (9-1) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, quickened clear final furlong, impressive, won at Doncaster 6f 2yo lst stk (1) sft in Oct beating Aeolus (9-1) by 3l, 5 ran.
No Leaf Clover (IRE) (8-13) 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Kiram (8-13) at Maisons-Laffitte(FR) 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) hvy in Nov.
Supplicant 13-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Astaire (9-0) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Windfast (IRE) 1-4fav (9-5) Made all, pushed out, unchallenged, won at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs in May beating Mawfoor (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
