tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, not pace of winner
soon tracking leaders, led 5th, blundered and headed 2 out, no extra
in touch, effort approaching 2 out, stayed on from last
tracked leaders, effort approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 2 out, led approaching last, ran on well, readily
led until 5th, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, not fluent 4th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, weakened approaching 2 out
This is a competitive start to proceedings and the vote is given to Sonning Star; the list of dangers is headed by Crack Away Jack and Squadron. The selection won well last time when beating Harry Tricker at Fontwell and according to his trainer he is a progressive type. That win came on ground that was far from ideal and with conditions more in his favour here, he stands out as the one to beat. Crack Away Jack was a fair third behind Binocular at Ascot last time and after a couple of runs this season, he should now be spot-on for this. He remains open to plenty of improvement and he should not be discounted lightly. Squadron was a given a tough assignment at Cheltenham last time when he was no match for his stablemate Franchoek, but this is less competitive and he is another that could be capable of a big run. Alaghiraar was a fair sort on the flat and he is of interest on his hurdles debut, but he will need to be quite useful to score today, and we will stick with Sonning Star who is on an upward curve and he rates as a solid bet to win this.
Squadron 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, tracked leaders after 4th, ridden after 2 out, not pace of leading pair, 3rd of 11, 23l behind Franchoek (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Sonning Star (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Prominent, led 6th, mistake 2 out, headed approaching last, hard driven to lead flat, kept on, won at Fontwell 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft beating Harry Tricker (10-12) by 1l, 9 ran.
Alaghiraar (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 15, 24l behind Market Forces (9-12) at York 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct (Flat).
Cavalry Twill (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened soon after, 9th of 13, 38l behind Chapoturgeon (11-0) at Lingfield 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Crack Away Jack 15-2 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden to challenge next, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Binocular (10-12) at Ascot 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Diego Velasquez (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 6th of 14, 8l behind Iroquois Warrior (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Good Effect (USA) 16-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 4l behind Caravel (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug (Flat).
Title Deed (USA) 8-1 (10-12) Keen, hit 1st, tracked leader until 3rd, remained prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 12, 23l behind Hall of Fame (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Pearl (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, struggling 5th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 7, 48l behind Ashkazar (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) sft.
