in touch in rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, ran on to go 4th towards finish, never a threat
keen in touch, switched left over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, ridden and ran on
led, ridden over 2f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong
close up, ridden over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
close up, ridden and no impression 2f out, soon edged right, ran to go 2nd inside final furlong, not trouble winner
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
This was always a good race for the Hills family and Balty Boys has the strongest form in the line-up though he's one of the most exposed and looks vulnerable. Aljamaaheer is still in the Derby but will need to do very much better than he did on his reappearance at Newbury where he struggled in the soft ground. There should be more to come but THE NILE created such an impression when landing his maiden at Lingfield by an eased-down 11 lengths that the St James's Palace entry is handed the vote. Van Ellis gained a comfortable victory at Dundalk but will need to step up and though Silverheels has plenty of strong form he hasn't done quite as well as expected. Saigon had some excellent form in top company last term and though well beaten in the 2000 Guineas will be more at home in this company.
Saigon 66-1 (9-0) Raced center tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 18, 13l behind Camelot (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gs.
Aljamaaheer (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) Steadied start, keen soon tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Gregorian (9-3) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Apr.
Balty Boys (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 15, 7l behind Valbchek (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 3yo aut stk (2) gd in Apr.
Mr Red Clubs (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 11, 3l behind Rewarded (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs.
Silverheels (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Held up 4th and last, effort to challenge inside final 2f, went 2nd over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression with winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Sentaril (8-10) at Doncaster 7f con stks (3) gs.
The Nile 1-2fav (9-3) Tracked leading pair, led over 6f out, well in command over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong, very easily, won at Lingfield 1m 3yo mdn auc stks (6) pol beating Zaeem (9-3) by 11l, 11 ran.
Van Ellis 1-3fav (9-5) Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, kept on strongly, comfortably, won at Dundalk 7f 3yo mdn stks pol beating That Boy David (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
