tracked winner, pushed along halfway, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, kept on same pace
made all, pushed along over 1f out, quickened clear, comfortable
close up, ridden and headway chase winner over 1f out, kept on same pace
keen tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching final furlong
Duke Of Mantua may appreciate today’s faster going having come up short at the Curragh on last month’s comeback. The Ballydoyle colt is fitted with headgear for this and is weighted to beat Roscioli. The latter never threatened in last year’s Horris Hill at Newbury in October but NOBLE DYNASTY landed the odds at Kempton in the same month. A half-brother to Barney Roy, Godolphin’s expensive purchase has an entry in the 2000 Guineas and should be stronger this year. Mutasaabeq made a winning debut in testing ground here last autumn and Soundslikethunder beat stablemate Lexington Knight, who runs earlier, at Doncaster last month.
Duke Of Mantua (IRE) 5-2fav (10-0) Soon prominent, 3rd 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, soon on terms, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 4th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Amazed By Grace (8-9) at Curragh 7f hcp Soft - Heavy in Mar.
Mutasaabeq 17-2 (9-0) Went right start, ran green early in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 7f stks (4) hvy in Oct beating Sevenal (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Noble Dynasty 4-9fav (9-5) Slowly into stride, soon recovered and went prominent, led over 2f out, ran on, ridden out, won at Kempton 7f stks (5) pol in Oct beating Rifleman (9-5) by 2l, 10 ran.
Roscioli 22-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakening when rider dropped whip inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Mujbar (9-0) at Newbury 7f Grp 3 stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Soundslikethunder (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Made all, ridden and joined inside final furlong, ran on, gamely, won at Doncaster 7f stks (5) gd in Mar beating Lexington Knight (9-2) by shd, 11 ran.
