led, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra final furlong
tracked leaders and keen, one pace from over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, weakened well over 2f out
held up, smooth headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon ridden, clear entering final furlong
always behind
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out until no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along over 5f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 3f out, chased winner inside final furlong, one pace
Best Alibi, a course and distance winner, gets the vote here ahead of the reliable trio of Charlie Tokyo, Dunaskin, and Fairmile. The selection was last seen in Dubai when not disgraced in the Dubai Sheema Classic and now dropped in trip for this reappearance, this son of King's Best is fancied to oblige. A winner at the Knavesmire when trained by Sir Michael Stoute, he wouldn't want the ground a bog but his class may see him through. Stablemate Arqaam takes a leap in class and faith having sauntered to victory in a weak Redcar maiden but could be anything. Spanish Moon also won on his debut and stepping up in trip needs respect from his powerful stable, whilst Sunshine Kid takes a drop in class but doesn't look in love with the game. Fairmile, yet another representing the 'Boys In Blue' comes here on the back of a good run at Doncaster and if he has come on then this 2006 John Smith's Cup winner should go well. Dunaskin will like the ground, along with Charlie Tokyo for local trainer Richard Fahey. An open race to begin with and narrow preference is for Best Alibi.
Best Alibi (IRE) (8-11) Soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened, 10th of 14, 7l behind Vengeance Of Rain (8-11) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Britannic 25-1 (9-6) Awkward start, soon tracking leaders and keen, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 48l behind Galactic Star (8-11) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcap (2) gf in Sept.
Charlie Tokyo (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Behind, ridden over 2f out, some headway over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 13, 9l behind Anna Pavlova (8-13) at Ayr 1m 2f lst stk (1) gs in Sept.
Dunaskin (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Led, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Anna Pavlova (8-13) at Ayr 1m 2f lst stk (1) gs in Sept.
Fairmile 5-1 (9-11) Held up behind leaders, headway over 1f out, driven and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Red Gala (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcap (2) gf in Sept.
Ursis (FR) 50-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden and some headway over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 20, 14l behind Group Captain (9-5) at Windsor 1m 4f hcap (2) gs in Nov.
Arqaam 4-7fav (9-3) Held up in touch, smooth headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Redcar 1m 1f mdn stk (5) gf in Sept beating Ashmal (8-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
Spanish Moon (USA) 6-1 (9-0) Prominent, led 2f out, shaken up and ran on, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft beating Mofarij (9-0) by 2l, 19 ran.
Sunshine Kid (USA) 16-1 (8-8) Close up, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 13, 7l behind Anna Pavlova (8-13) at Ayr 1m 2f lst stk (1) gs in Sept.