prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, weakened over 2f out
steadied start, switched left, held up in rear, effort 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on one pace
led 2f, tracked leader, reminder over 5f out, weakened 2f out
held up towards rear, pushed along over 6f out, headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, pushed along over 6f out, lost place 5f out, soon weakened, eased 4f out, tailed off
mid-division, pushed along 5f out, weakened over 3f out
pushed along briefly leaving stalls, mid-division, headway over 3f out, hung left over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, flattered by proximity
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon clear, heavily eased well inside final furlong
took keen hold, soon prominent, led after 2f, headed over 2f out, soon no chance with winner and hung left, no extra final furlong
Nonrunner
Barry Hills can reverse recent form trends if TASTAHIL lives up to expectations. Drill Sergeant is an old rival that won't make it easy for the selection, while Opinion Poll, Montaff and Deportment are favoured by the terms of the race and add spice to a solid looking renewal. Halla San is on a long losing run but could also be interesting for a slice of the place money if he can turn back the clock. However, Tastahil, who was runner up in the Group 3 St Simon Stakes last October, could easily be a cut above this lot and, as such he is fancied to give the Hills team a welcome change of fortune.
Drill Sergeant 12-1 (9-3) Led, headed over 4f out, pressed leader, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 14l behind High Heeled (8-7) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Halla San 5-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, soon behind, 7th of 10, 16l behind Caracciola (9-7) at Royal Ascot 2m 6f stks (2) gf in Jun.
Raincoat 10-1 (9-11) Ridden in rear 3f out, always behind, 12th of 14, 19l behind Sanbuch (10-0) at Goodwood 1m 6f hcap (2) gd in Jul '08.
Shipmaster 16-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, quickly pulled up 8f out, dismounted, in a race won by Bulwark (9-4) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in May '08, 17 ran.
Swingkeel (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, soon no impression, 24th of 32, well behind Darley Sun (8-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Tastahil (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Held up mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 23, 13l behind Charm School (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Carnac (IRE) (9-4) 7th of 13, 9l behind Kekova (8-8) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 5f stk gd in Oct.
Montaff 20-1 (8-8) 8th of 12, 5l behind Sabotage (8-8) at Meydan(UAE) 2m stks gf in Feb.
Opinion Poll (IRE) 15-2 (8-10) Raced alone on wide outside and in touch, joined main group after 3f, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gs in Oct beating Kings Destiny (8-13) by 3 1/2l, 19 ran.
Deportment 11-4 (9-4) Close up, chased leaders 6f out, pushed along 3f out, led 1f out, ran on, won at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct beating Racing Hero (9-10) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Ajaan 20-1 (9-10) Held up in touch, headway over 4f out, soon under pressure, kept on same pace from well over 1f out, 5th of 32, 9l behind Darley Sun (8-6) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
