tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner final furlong, no chance
towards rear, headway and effort over 1f out, no extra, soon one pace
always in rear group, never a factor
tracked leader, ridden and slightly outpaced over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace
prominent, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, pushed out, easily
slowly into stride, raced keenly behind, rapid headway to chase leader 4f out, effort over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened quickly
led, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, eased over 2f out, tailed off
Winged Cupid is returning from a massive break so cannot be any value at a short price and therefore we will side Mick Channon's runner for a Massive upset. Altgough undoubtedly up against it as a three-year-old up against the bigger boys, Massive gets a weight allowance and possibly most importantly he goes very well on this ground. A winner of a Listed contest at Salisbury last month, this son of Marju loves cut in the ground and can continue his upwards progression. Likely favourite Winged Cupid used to be with Mark Johnston and was a close second in the Racing Post Trophy in 2005. He may be rusty after so long off the track though so is taken on, along with Vanderlin who has plenty of talent but would prefer quicker ground. Final Verse and Babodana both have winning form on soft ground so must be high on the shortlist, whilst Tell would prefer quick ground. Summer's Eve and Pearl's Girl may just find themselves outclassed, and so we will return to Massive to upset the Godolphin applecart.
Babodana 16-1 (9-5) Chased winner until 4f out, soon ridden, short of room 2f out, stayed on, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Dunelight (9-5) at Goodwood 1m lst stk (1) gd.
Final Verse 4-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 4th of 5, 10l behind Army of Angels (9-2) at Windsor 1m lst stk (1) gs in May.
Tell 20-1 (9-4) Held up, never a threat, 9th of 10, 15l behind Senor Dali (9-f) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 2f hcp gd in Feb.
Vanderlin 7-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, last 3f out, effort entering straight, soon no extra, 9th of 10, 9l behind Lord Admiral (9-9) at Leopardstown 7f Grp 3 gf.
Winged Cupid (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Led, driven 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Palace Episode (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) hvy in Oct '05.
Pearl's Girl 10-1 (9-4) Reared start, pulled hard, prominent, led over 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Tarteel (9-3) at Newmarket 1m fll hcp (4) gs.
Summer's Eve 11-2 (8-4) Pulled hard behind leading pair, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, last of 4, 7l behind Munsef (8-9) at Goodwood 1m 4f stk (3) gd.
Massive (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Led narrowly, went 2 lengths clear 5f out, hard pressed from 2f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, held on gamely, all out, won at Sandown 1m 3yo lst stk (1) gs in May beating Charlie Farnsbarns (8-12) by a nk, 4 ran.
