slowly into stride, held up in rear, always behind
slowly away and always in rear
led, driven 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
never far away, ridden over 2f out, weakened 2f out
took keen hold early, steadied, headway 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not pace of front pair
chased leaders, driven to lead over 1f out, ran on under pressure, headed towards finish
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leader to over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened quickly, tailed off
close up, headway to chase leader 1f out, ran on under pressure to lead towards finish
held up in rear, never in contention
took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
broke well, pulled hard, steadied behind leaders, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened
in rear and never a factor
Nonrunner
Perfect Star, Lang Shining and Sound of Nature look the 3 to focus on here and narrow preference is for Perfect Star. The selection is a likeable filly from the Clive Cox yard, and she ended last season in red hot form. She looks a progressive type and with ground conditions to suit she can win this before going on to better things. Lang Shining rates as a danger as there could be plenty more to come from this lightly-raced colt. The market will be a guide to her chance and from a good draw she has to be respected. Sound of Nature was backed as if defeat was out of the question when he scored at Leicester on his final appearance of last season, but this slight drop in trip is not sure to play to his strengths and on that basis we will pass him over. Mine has served connections well and he arrives here with a pipe opener under his belt,but he is not getting any younger and he may be vulnerable against some less-exposed types. This is a good race and Perfect Star can continue his progression and land the prize.
Mine (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Raced stand side, held up, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never able to challenge, 6th of 21, 5l behind Smokey Oakey (8-9) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Mesbaah (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Towards rear, outpaced 4f out, plugged on, 6th of 7, 6l behind Monkey Glas (8-10) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Markab 9-2fav (8-8) Made all, ridden clear entering final furlong, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gs beating Fishforcompliments (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Plum Pudding (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Raced stand side, prominent, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 21, 19l behind Don't Panic (9-8) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Zaahid (IRE) 9-4fav (9-8) Raced stand side, held up, headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no chance with winner, 4th of 21, 12l behind Don't Panic (9-8) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Benandonner (USA) 6-4fav (8-4) In touch, led after 2f, driven over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Southwell 1m hcap (2) fbs beating Regal Parade (8-4) by a nk, 8 ran.
Capable Guest (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Mia's Boy (8-7) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Mar.
South Cape 25-1 (8-10) Prominent on outside, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 12l behind Very Wise (9-5) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Nov.
Proponent (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 14l behind Fremen (9-3) at Ayr 1m hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Kingsdale Orion (IRE) 15-2 (9-12) Towards rear, no impression straight, 10th of 13, 5l behind Many Colours (9-7) at Leopardstown 7f hcp 0-100 gs in Aug.
Sound of Nature (USA) 11-8fav (9-4) Tracked leader, always travelling well, shaken up to lead well inside final furlong, easily, won at Leicester 1m 2f hcap (4) gf in May beating Shout (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Lang Shining (IRE) 6-4fav (8-10) Mid-division, ridden and effort 2f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 9, 8l behind King Charles (8-10) at Ascot 1m 2f stk 0-90 (3) gs in Sept.
Orchard Supreme 11-1 (9-3) Raced far side, tracked leader, ridden to challenege over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 17th of 21, well behind Don't Panic (9-8) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Trafalgar Square 16-1 (9-3) Raced far side, held up in touch, led over 2f out, headed 1f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 21, 11l behind Don't Panic (9-8) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Heroes 18-1 (8-8) Mid-division, effort halfway, soon no impression, 13th of 26, 8l behind Damika (9-0) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct.
Formax (FR) 12-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up, mainly towards rear, 11th of 14, 9l behind Blackat Blackitten (8-5) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Oct.
Wigwam Willie (IRE) 17-2 (8-7) Chased leaders, effort 2f out, edged right and kept on final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Markab (8-8) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gs.
Clipperdown (IRE) 100-1 (9-5) Raced stand side, in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 16th of 21, 25l behind Smokey Oakey (8-9) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Perfect Star 4-1co-fav (8-7) Always prominent, led 6f out, challenged over 1f out, ran on well, won at Ascot 1m lst fll hcp (1) gs in Sept beating Lady Gloria (8-10) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
