led after 1f, ridden 5 lengths clear over 1f out, headed towards finish
always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on strongly to lead towards finish, readily
in touch, ridden when weakened over 1f out
led 1f, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced wide in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden and edged left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
close up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong
keen held up in rear, switched right over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
raced wide always towards rear
tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, kept on final furlong, never nearer
John Gosden won this with the newcomer Feel Like Dancing last year and EAGLE TOP wears the same colours. The latter is a brother to the very useful Park Hill winner The Lark and gets the nod. Catadupa is a half-sister to Cubanita, who runs earlier on the card, while Fort Berkeley is related to Ebor winner Tiger Cliff. Limousine and Le Maitre Chat are other newcomers to note given those with experience are no great shakes on the evidence of what they've shown to date. Automated wears his owners first colours ahead of Bergan and Sayed Youmzain is preferred to stablemate Norab on jockey bookings. Kisanji was well beaten on his reappearance but Sternrubin looks likely to improve this season.
Automated 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 4, 25l behind Hartnell (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f 2yo stks (3) sft in Nov.
Bergan (GER) 8-1 (8-6) Held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway on outside to moderate 4th entering final 2f, no impression, 4th of 6, 5l behind Officer Drivel (8-6) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Mar.
Dark Days Black Sam Bellamy colt out of Darwinia.
Eagle Top Pivotal colt out of Gull Wing.
Fort Berkeley (IRE) Fastnet Rock gelding out of Verbania.
Kisanji 8-1 (9-2) Tracked leader until over 3f out, faded final furlong, 4th of 10, 14l behind Hymenaios (9-5) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) sft in Mar.
Le Maitre Chat (USA) Tale Of The Cat gelding out of Bedside Story.
Norab (GER) 7-2fav (9-5) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, ran on to go 4th final strides, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Love Tangle (9-5) at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Sayed Youmzain 14-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride held up, headway to chase leaders 3f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Shimba Hills (9-2) at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Sternrubin (GER) 8-1 (9-5) Keen close up, effort 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind Mannaro (9-5) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Catadupa Selkirk filly out of Caribana.
Cinnilla 4-1fav (9-0) In touch, hung left and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, 15l behind Wylye (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2yo stks (4) hvy in Oct.
Limousine Beat Hollow filly out of Market Forces.
