pulled hard, headway to lead after 2f, headed 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway to have every chance 2f out, weakened 1f out
held up in touch, pushed along and no impression from over 2f out until ran on final furlong, never nearer
held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, soon 2 lengths clear, eased towards finish
went badly left at start and lost many lengths, headway to join main group after 3f, ridden and some headway over 3f out, weakened and hung left again 2f out
led, headed after 2f, remained close up, led again 5f out, ridden and headed 1f out, stayed on towards finish
held up, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance approaching 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and weakened 2f out
Eqbaal is preferred to King O' The Gypsies and Meydan City. There's a degree of guesswork involved in trying to ascertain how much improvement the runners are going to make from their debuts and/or for stepping up in trip but what is known is that King O' The Gypsies is well regarded if his big race entries at time of debut are anything to go by and he went into a number of notebooks with an encouraging never-nearer fourth. His subsequent absence is a little surprising but the yard did go through a quiet spell and may not have wanted to take a chance with him; he would appear to be a leading player. Meydan City, an $11.7 million purchase as a juvenile, probably didn't achieve as much on debut over a mile but he looked in need of the experience and the form cannot be taken literally at this fomative stages of their career. He showed ability, will appreciate this longer trip (King O' The Gypsies will need further in time whereas this may be the Godolphin runner's optimum) and he merits respect with improvement expected. Hall Hee was a shade unlucky not to make a winning debut over a mile and is related to winners at this trip and beyond. She should improve for both the test of stamina and the experience and is out of a half-sister to Sir Percy. She may be able to have a say in the outcome but Woodcutter may find his niche once handicapping following this run. Our selection. Eqbaal, is the most exposed runner in the race but we shouldn't hold that against him nor the fact that his Newbury conqueror went on to run a stinker at York next time out. The horse that beat him last time only beat one home on his next start as well but everything that was written about Kensington Oval suggests that he's above average and Eqbaal was unlucky to bump into him. He's going to come up against some fair sorts again this afternoon but, on this occasion, EQBAAL may just have their measure.
Applaude 13-8fav (9-0) Prominent and keen, weakened 2f out, 10th of 11, 13l behind Tatbeeq (8-9) at Haydock 1m mdn stk (5) gd.
Eqbaal 4-5fav (9-3) Led, headed 7f out, ridden to lead again over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Kensington Oval (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gs in Jun.
King O'The Gypsies (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 15, 7l behind Pampas Cat (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gd in Apr.
Meydan City (USA) 5-6fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, in touch after 1f, every chance from over 1f out, not quicken near finish, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Harald Bluetooth (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo mdn (4) gf in Jun.
Pebble Rock (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Held up in last place but in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, last of 4, 6l behind Le Brocquy (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gf in Jun.
Woodcutter (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Took keen hold, soon prominent, led 7f out, headed 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1l behind Speed Ticket (9-12) at Windsor 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gf in Jun.
Finney Hill 12-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, towards rear, some late progress, never a factor, 9th of 14, 6l behind Katimont (9-0) at Windsor 1m 3yo mdn fll (5) gd in Apr.
Hall Hee (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, soon ridden, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Regal Best (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Wusuul 5-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, close 4th when not clear run inside final furlong, ran on final 50 yards, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Profitability (9-0) at Salisbury 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
