took keen hold, held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, no response
led, ridden and kept on well from 2f out, headed final 100 yards, kept on well
chased leaders in 4th, pushed along 3f out, soon outpaced
tracked leaders, challenged 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, quickened to lead final 100 yards, readily
in touch, ridden 2f out, headway and went 3rd over 1f out, no impression on front pair
chased leader, driven along over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out
held up last, ridden and no response 2f out
stumbled start, in touch, pushed along 3f out, soon no chance
Confront is sure to be popular with punters here but we will take a chance on Sir Gerry, who is nominated over Beacon Lodge. James Fanshawe's 3-year-old colt disappointed when last seen out at Newmarket, but he had shown some solid form prior to that and now that he is eased in grade he looks capable of regaining the winning thread. He will also handle the cut in the ground which is another big plus for him. Confront beat Stimulation at Ascot back in October and as that form was franked by Stimulation at Newmarket on Wednesday, a solid case can be made for him. Beacon Lodge also beat Stimulation last time and Clive Cox's course and distance winner is another with solid form. Richard Hannon won this race last year and Paco Boy will have a fitness edge on some of his rivals after a recent spin at Lingfield. However, he has his toughest assignment to date so far and we think he will be outclassed. With all this in mind we will return to Sir Gerry as the one to beat.
Beacon Lodge (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Held up in centre, headway 2f out, ridden to lead just over 1f out, edged right, just held on, won at Newbury 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct beating Stimulation (8-12) by a hd, 11 ran.
Bobs Surprise 13-2 (9-0) Started slowly, held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, never on terms, 7th of 9, 6l behind Strike The Deal (9-0) at Goodwood 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Aug.
Confront 2-1fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, drifted right, kept on well final furlong, ridden out, won at Ascot 7f 2yo stk (2) gs in Oct beating Stimulation (9-0) by 1l, 6 ran.
Paco Boy (IRE) 3-1fav (9-1) Held up, switched right over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead well inside final furlong, impressive, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo lst stk (1) pol in Mar beating Tasdeer (9-1) by 2l, 10 ran.
Red Alert Day 9-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, keeping on same pace when not much room inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Dark Angel (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Shallal 4-1co-fav (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, driven final furlong, kept on gamely, won at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn (2) gd in Jul beating Eastern Gift (9-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Sir Gerry (USA) 2-1fav (8-12) Dwelt, held up, ridden over 1f out, soon beaten and eased, 8th of 9, 10l behind Dark Angel (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Without A Prayer (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden, effort over 1f out, kept on, no impression, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Fast Company (9-0) at York 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
