close up, ridden and weakened from 3f out
started slowly, held up behind, headway 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on well, caught near finish
prominent until ridden and weakened 2f out
always behind, struggling final 3f
in touch, ridden to press leader over 1f out, every chance, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, never dangerous
tracked leader, led narrowly just over 1f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, lost place and weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out behind final 2f
led until headed narrowly just over 1f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, plenty to do 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, not reached leaders
held up rear, headway 2f out, stayed on to take third inside final furlong and closed on leaders near finish
started slowly, behind, headway over 2f out, stayed on steadily final furlong, led near finish
prominent for 5f, in rear over 3f out, eased over 1f out, tailed off
Maraahel, Lucarno and stable companion Pipedreamer are the three to consider here, with Maraahel getting the vote. Maraahel is a durable type, with some classy efforts to his credit. He won three times last season, including a Group Two success, and he also won over this trip and on this type of ground. He is the one they all have to beat after an excellent effort in a narrow defeat at Chester on his re-appearance. Pipedreamer won two major handicaps last season, and looks a very progressive type. He was a popular choice to make a winning re-appearance at Newmarket, and was beaten narrowly into third. He needed a run to be at his sharpest last season, and the trip and ground will not be a problem. Lucarno progressed throughout last season, fourth in the Derby, second at Royal Ascot, winner of the Great Voltigeur, before landing the St Leger. The classic winner has to concede significant weight here and may come on for his seasonal debut, but he won over this trip last year. Maraahel can take this.
Lucarno (USA) 7-2 (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden and headway 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left and kept on inside final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m 7f Grp 1 (1) gf in Sept beating Mahler (9-0) by 1l, 10 ran.
Maraahel (IRE) 5-2 (9-5) Chased leader, challenged over 1f out, ridden and took narrow lead inside final furlong, soon edged left, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Championship Point (9-0) at Chester 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Happy Boy (BRZ) 20-1 (9-0) Impeded start, mid-division, improved to lead over 2f out, quickly drew clear, won at Nad Al Sheba 1m Grp 3 (1) std in Jan beating Gloria De Campeao (9-0) by 9l, 16 ran.
Hattan (IRE) (9-2) In touch, effort and every chance 2f out, soon weakened and eased, 7th of 9, 6l behind Saddex (9-2) at Capannelle 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd.
Regime (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, closer in 4th before straight, closed over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, all out, won at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gs beating Alarazi (9-1) by a hd, 8 ran.
Buccellati 10-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well final furlong, led line, won at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Oct beating St Savarin (9-1) by a shd, 17 ran.
Charlie Farnsbarns (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Soon tracking leader, led 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, held on towards finish, won at York 1m 1f stk (3) gf beating Benandonner (9-4) by a shd, 5 ran.
Classic Punch (IRE) 17-2 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 8l behind Spanish Moon (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f lst stk (1) gf.
Dansant 25-1 (8-11) Never a threat, last of 16, 24l behind Sun Classique (8-7) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) fbs in Mar.
Fight Club (GER) (9-2) Prominent, disputed lead over 1f out, no extra when headed, 5th of 9, 2l behind White Lightning (8-9) at Baden-Baden 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) sft in Aug '06.
Petara Bay (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Chased leader 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, soon headed, stayed on under pressure, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Spanish Moon (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f lst stk (1) gf.
Pipedreamer 6-4fav (8-12) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, edged left and every chance approaching final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Phoenix Tower (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Smokey Oakey (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 8, 6l behind Phoenix Tower (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Passage of Time 7-4 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 2f out until over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 6, 6l behind Heaven Sent (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f fll stk Grp 3 (1) gd.
Silver Pivotal (IRE) 7-2fav (8-11) Held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, ran on strongly towards finish, nearest finish, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Hattan (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) pol in Mar.
