chased leader until over 2f out, led well over 1f out, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, ran on well
hampered soon after start, prominent, went 2nd over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, progress over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never on terms
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, hung left and chased winner 1f out, stayed on, no impression
led, headed well over 1f out, soon edged right, one pace inside final furlong
prominent, ridden 3f out, lost place on inside 2f out, soon behind and eased
slowly into stride, held up, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
hampered soon after start and lost place, in rear, headway entering straight, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, no impression on leaders
hampered soon after start, in rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
King's Caprice has needed the run in the past so he is passed over today in favour of Jack Sullivan who has won fresh before and could be too classy for these, with Party Boss and Woodnook making up the shortlist. The selection acquitted himself well over in Dubai last March and with regular pilot Eddie Ahern aboard today, he could hold too many guns. A winner at Lingfield and at Nad Al Sheba, he should handle this surface well and looks the call from his fair draw. Party Boss has acquitted himself well this winter with his front-running tactics and it was only the step up in trip that found him out last time out. He certainly has claims from his plum draw, although he may have competition for the lead from the likes of Curtail and King's Caprice. The last-named is a threat if fit enough after his break, whilst Vacation has been in very consistent form this winter but may be best over a longer trip. Woodnook steps up to this trip for the first time and whilst stamina is not assured, he mustn't be left out of calculations, whilst the same applies to course and distance winners Chicken Soup and Chief Commander. In a classy contest, we will return to Jack Sullivan to land the spoils.
Border Music 6-1 (9-12) Toward rear, soon chased along, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 4l behind My Gacho (9-5) at Thirsk 6f hcap (4) gf in Jun.
Chicken Soup 8-11fav (8-8) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, hard ridden to lead well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan beating Buy On The Red (8-13) by 1l, 12 ran.
Chief Commander (FR) 16-1 (8-11) Held up, headway 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 4th of 5, 2 1/2l behind Party Boss (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Feb.
Curtail (IRE) 15-2 (8-13) Took keen hold, prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 7l behind Xtra Torrential (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (2) pol in Jan.
Jack Sullivan (USA) 9-4fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, kept on well, no chance with winner, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Utopia (9-0) at Nad Al Sheba 1m Grp 2 (1) std.
King's Caprice 12-1 (9-1) Made all, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct beating Woodcote Place (8-5) by a nk, 19 ran.
Party Boss 9-2 (9-0) Led until headed inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 6l behind Cusoon (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stk (1) pol in Feb.
Uhoomagoo (9-1) Settled in rear, never able to challenge, 10th of 12, 13l behind Benedetti (9-3) at Nad Al Sheba 7f hcp gd in Feb.
Vacation (IRE) 15-8fav (7-9) Towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, switched left to challenge leader, just held, 2nd of 9, shd behind Bahar Shumaal (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Farnesina (FR) 20-1 (8-9) Took keen hold in touch, effort 2f out, weakened 1f out, 5th of 8, 7l behind Gentleman's Deal (9-0) at Kempton 1m lst stk (1) pol in Feb.
Woodnook 10-1 (8-9) Went right start, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, took 2nd post and gaining on winner, 2nd of 8, hd behind King Orchisios (9-0) at Lingfield 6f lst stk (1) pol in Feb.
Black Sea Pearl 3-1fav (9-4) Mid-division, ridden halfway, not clear run 2f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Cerebus (8-8) at Southwell 6f fll hcp (5) fbs in Feb.
