held up, pulled hard early, headway well over 1f out, soon hung left, led inside final furlong, ran on
held up, pushed along over 2f out, not clear run from over 1f out, switched right and running on when not much room towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon one pace
prominent, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
held up, keen early, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on
tracked leaders, not clear run from over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, ran on
Sir Michael Stoute has won this with some top-class performers over the years and can strike again with Rob Roy, who is selected in preference to Etlaala, who represents last year's wining trainer Barry Hills. Others to seriously consider include Iceman and Montgomery's Arch, who were closely matched in the Dewhurst here last October and will both be better for the run whatever happens today. Irish raider Democratic Deficit also has form that ties in with those two and, with the ground very much in his favour, he has to be given the utmost respect. Forward Move represents a trainer that has won three of the last five renewals and this son of Dr Fong looks to be Richard Hannon's main hope this time around. A strong tailwind helped the colt set a new track record for a juvenile over this course and distance when he was last seen out and he obviously has to be respected on that performance. He looks certain to be popular in the betting market if, as is excepted, his connections have him primed. Etlaala has been the subject of glowing reports and comes here instead of the Greenham at the weekend. Barry Hills has always said that he is better than he showed when we last saw him race and many will be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Those same supporters will also have to factor in the well being of Iceman, who gave Hills' charge a real scare at Doncaster last September. He too has the 2000 Guineas as his ultimate goal and will be thereabouts if the 2004 form is upheld. However, we take Rob Roy to really start coming into his own this year and this is the ideal platform for him launch his campaign. Stoute is a past master at producing one ready for the big day and his talents as master tactician can again be seen evident with his well-bred colt. He is a son of top-class miler Lear Fan and already has that vital experience of the course. The reputation Rob Roy built up with his home work was matched by a stellar performance the only previous time he raced. Which leads us to believe that he can take this step up class in his stride before establishing himself higher in the pecking order as the season goes on.
Democratic Deficit (IRE) 20-1 Chased leaders, effort 2f out, no extra, 5th of 6, 4l behind Oratorio at Longchamp 7f Grp 1 gd in Oct.
Etlaala 9-4fav Slowly into stride, held up and keen, headway over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 9, 20l behind Shamardal at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (A1) sft in Oct.
Iceman 7-1 Prominent, ridden over 2f out, held when edged left over 1f out, stayed on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Shamardal at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (A1) sft in Oct.
Montgomery's Arch (USA) 10-1 Held up, pushed along from 3f out, headway 2f out, hard ridden inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Shamardal at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (A1) sft in Oct.
Forward Move (IRE) 2-1fav Always prominent, led halfway, ridden clear final furlong, won at Newmarket 1m 2yo mdn aut (E3) gf in Sept beating My Putra by 5l, 18 ran.
Kandidate Mid-division; ridden 800m out; headway over 400m out; stayed on; not reach leaders, 4th of 15, 10l behind Parole Board at Nad Al Sheba 1m 1f 3yo stk gd in Mar.
Mister Genepi 8-13fav Held up, smooth progress over 2f out, led well over 1f out, quickened clear, easily, won at York 1m 2yo mdn aut (E3) gd in Oct beating William Tell by 5l, 15 ran.
Rob Roy (USA) 4-1fav Held up in mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (D2) gd in Oct beating Fortunate Isle by 2 1/2l, 23 ran.
Peruvian Prince (USA) 12-1 Chased winner, ridden 2f out, kept on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Storm Silk at Kempton 7f 2yo stk (C2) gf in Sept.
