mid-division, effort and not much room over 2f out, soon ridden and stayed on final furlong
chased leader, led 7f out, ridden over 3f out, headed well over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, led well over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong
slow into stride, behind, effort when not much room well over 1f out, driven and not much room entering final furlong, one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, driven and every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on inside last, just held towards finish
tracked leaders, and keen, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
slow into stride, behind, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest at finish
led, headed 7f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Among the shortlist material here are Nero's Return, Kruggerand, Opening Ceremony and Go Tech, but we take Sun Kissed to come home in front. Godolphin have a good enough record here, and Sun Kissed was keeping good company last season before flopping on ground too soft behind Something Exciting at Newmarket. This faster ground and trip will be ideal at this stage, and he shouldn't lack for fitness. Nero's Return is certainly more battled-hardened and has been going pretty well for Joe Fanning, though Kevin Darley takes over in the plate today. The jury is out as to whether nine furlongs really suited last time though, and we will oppose here. Opening Ceremony will relish underfoot conditions and has been consistent from this mark of late, but the trip may be a little sharp for her, while Kruggerand will have no problems in that regard and is not far off a winning mark, so is worth consideration. Of the remainder, Go Tech comes from an in-form yard but just looks to have a few pounds too many, so we will stick with Sun Kissed to shine.
Nashaab (USA) 11-2 (9-10) Slowly into stride, ridden over 2f out, switched right and headway over 1f out, ran on, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Les Arcs (9-0) at Chester 7f hcp (3) gf.
Nero's Return (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Held up, 7th and ridden straight, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Momtic (9-2) at Epsom 1m 1f hcp (2) gd.
Ace of Hearts 6-1 (8-5) In touch, ridden and effort 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Norton (8-8) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gd in May.
Sky Quest (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, switched inside and good headway over 1f out, stayed on well, never nearer, 10th of 16, 5l behind Blue Monday (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Go Tech 9-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, not much room over 3f out, soon ridden and lost place, 11th of 16, 6l behind Blue Monday (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Krugerrand (USA) 7-1 (8-5) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, no danger, 7th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Norton (8-8) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gd in May.
Vicious Warrior 16-1 (9-10) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 4l behind Takes Tutu (9-0) at Redcar 1m hcp (2) gf.
Gig Harbor 66-1 (8-12) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, 6l behind Eccentric (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stk (A1) pol in Mar.
Sun Kissed (JPN) 15-2 (9-3) Bumped and went left start, held up, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten, last of 9, 37l behind Something Exciting (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2yo stk (C1) sft in Oct.
Jazz Scene (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, last and ridden straight, some late moderate headway, no danger, 8th of 11, 12l behind Momtic (9-2) at Epsom 1m 1f hcp (2) gd.
Opening Ceremony (USA) 25-1 (9-1) Held up and keen, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Strong Hand (9-7) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp (4) gd.
