steadied start, in rear, effort over 3f out, never dangerous
held up, ridden over 2f out, one pace
held up, effort over 3f out, never dangerous
behind, effort well over 2f out, weakened final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led early, chased leaders, challenged over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken
in touch, not much room 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, no extra final furlong
chased leader, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, led under pressure over 1f out, driven out
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
Ascot Lime, who holds an entry for the Irish 2,000 Guineas, is a speculative choice in the finale, where Capucci, Mazaris and Hawk Island are shortlisted as the best alternatives. Hawk Island does need to improve from last season's debut at Lingfield but he has such a likelable pedigree it would be a crime were he not capable of winning a race at some point. The betting will be the best gauge where he is concerned. Similar comments apply to the Mazaris, who hails from a yard that are just stepping things up a gear. Again, support in the betting ring will be noteworthy. Capucci, who cost 220,000gns, is another that will have the paddock watchers twitching. John Gosden's string is really firing just now and this fellow is a very interesting contender. However, Ascot Lime is also under the instruction of a training maestro and, as he at least has experience of racing, he gets the nod. A son of the mighty Pivotal, Ascot Lime was badly hampered on his debut at Doncaster last season, so it would be very harsh to judge him on his finishing position. Still, if he is going stake any sort of claim for a trip to The Curragh later in the season, Ascot Lime would need to take a race like this in his stride.
Bold Bobby Be (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 16, 8l behind Tredegar (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn auc (4) gs in Oct '06.
Ascot Lime 15-8fav (8-9) Hampered at start, held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Newly Elected (9-2) at Doncaster 7f 2yo stk (4) gf in Sept.
Capucci King's Best colt out of 1m2f winner Design Perfection.
Defies Logic 40-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 10, 23l behind Prince Desire (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept.
Ejeed (USA) 7-2 (9-3) Held up, effort and headway over 3f out, beaten over 2f out, 8th of 12, 9l behind Wintercast (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) gf in Nov.
Hawk Island (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Raced wide in touch, ridden and ran wide bend into straight over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong to take 4th, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Traphalgar (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Just Rob 6-1 (8-9) In touch, chased leaders over 4f out, not much room approaching 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Turn Left (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf in Oct.
Light From Mars Fantastic Light colt, half-brother to numerous winners from 6f-1m4f.
Rosentraub 33-1 (9-0) Behind, headway 2f out, hampered inside final furlong, no chance after, 8th of 14, 6l behind Forgotten Voice (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Oct.
Rye Rocket Catcher In The Rye gelding out of an unraced mare.
Seventh Hill 25-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 16, 20l behind Huzzah (9-3) at Salisbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Tactical Move 150-1 (8-12) Led halfway, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 7l behind The Oil Magnate (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn (4) gs.
Tarkheena Prince (USA) 11-4 (9-3) Mid-division, headway 2f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 13, 4l behind Relinquished (8-12) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Jul.
Totoman 6-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, effort when not clear run 1f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 8, 2l behind Flight Plan (9-3) at Folkestone 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) gf in Aug.
Mazaris (IRE) Mull of Kintyre colt, half-brother to winning miler Unicorn Reward.
