tracked leading trio, niggled along over 3f out, ridden and no response 2f out, plugged on to modest 4th towards finish
took keen hold, held up in 5th, steady headway from 3f out, hung right from 2f out, stayed on to one paced 3rd over 1f out
tracked leader at good pace, pushed along inside final 3f, lost 2nd entering final 2f, weakened over 1f out
led and set good pace, clear when hung left 2f out, continued to hang left, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
held up in last pair, pushed along and beaten over 2f out, never a factor
held up in rear, never a factor
tracked leading pair, went 2nd entering final 2f, ridden to lead and edged left inside final furlong, stayed on well, driven out
Richard Hannon has a stranglehold on this race training six of the last nine winners and Libranno is one of this year's representatives. The latter won a couple of Group races over 7f last season but that looks his optimum trip and he's toting a 4lb penalty in this. Not surprisingly, Richard Hughes prefers stablemate and last year's Craven Stakes winner, TRUMPET MAJOR. The latter added a Group 3 race at Goodwood to his tally later in the season and will appreciate the return to faster ground. Highland Knight was sent off favourite at Doncaster on his comeback but ran nowhere near his best. Better is expected here and he can reverse running with third-paced Stand My Ground while last month's Winter Derby winner, Farraaj, is facing his toughest task to date back over a shorter trip. Both Red Duke and Chil The Kite have plenty to find on today's terms.
Libranno 20-1 (9-0) Raced centre, held up in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 13th of 15, 11l behind Maarek (9-0) at Ascot 6f Grp 2 (1) sft in Oct.
Chil The Kite (8-11) 8th of 11, 9l behind Don Bosco (9-4) at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m Grp 3 hvy in Nov.
Farraaj (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) Close up, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f Group 3 (1) pol in Mar beating Robin Hoods Bay (9-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Highland Knight (IRE) 11-4fav (8-12) Led, ridden and joined 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Gabrial (8-12) at Doncaster 1m Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) gd.
Red Duke (USA) 9-2 (9-1) 3rd of 9, 3l behind Rerouted (9-6) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp in Mar.
Stand My Ground (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Keen in touch in rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on towards finish, not trouble leaders, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Gabrial (8-12) at Doncaster 1m Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) gd.
Trumpet Major (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Raced centre close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 30l behind Penitent (9-3) at Newmarket 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.
