held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
soon led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong
held up, ridden and some headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, just held on
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd briefly inside final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, headway and switched left over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, just failed
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace from ovef 1f out
Prime Defender has the advantage of being fit from a race already this season having found only Dubai's Touch too good in the Easter Stakes at Kempton last month and has to be respected but he may have to settle for a minor role again with preference for Hamoody, who gets the vote over Eddie Jock. The last mentioned showed gradual improvement during a busy campaign as a two-year-old but Michael Bell's colt may be a shade high in the weights for what he has actually achieved and looks booked for a place at best. Spring Cup winner Hinton Admiral has a penalty to carry for that success and was well held at Newcastle subsequently so looks booked for a place at best. Danebury Hill is closely matched with Prime Defender on Kempton form and is another worthy of a mention but it is Hamoody that gets the vote. Peter Chapple-Hyam's colt looked useful when landing his first two starts as a juvenile and probably found the going too testing for him in the Dewhurst on his final start. The son of Johannesburg looks worth another chance today on ground conditions that should suit and he is taken to make a winning start to his three-year-old career.
Vital Statistics 12-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 10th of 11, 6l behind Indian Ink (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo fll Grp 1 (1) sft in Sept.
Hinton Admiral 7-2jt-fav (8-6) Prominent stand's side group, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 5th of 12, 10l behind Rising Shadow (9-5) at Newcastle 6f lst stk (1) gs in Mar.
Hamoody (USA) 9-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, keen hold, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 15, 12l behind Teofilo (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Prime Defender 7-4fav (8-12) In touch, headway to chase winner over 1f out, strong challenge final furlong, no impression near finish, always held, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Dubai's Touch (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3yo lst stk (1) pol in Mar.
Eddie Jock (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Held up, headway 2f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Charlie Farnsbarns (9-0) at Ascot 7f 2yo stk (2) gs in Oct.
Tobosa 3-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 10, 8l behind Dijeerr (8-12) at Newbury 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) hvy in Oct.
Danebury Hill 15-2 (8-12) In touch, headway on inside 2f out, chased leading pair, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Dubai's Touch (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3yo lst stk (1) pol in Mar.
