held up, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead post
held up towards rear, headway on inner over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, headed post
held up towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led 1f, tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, one pace
in touch, ridden and headway 3f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and not much room over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, soon hung left
held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway on outer well over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish
As third favourite in most lists for the Derby, CROWDED HOUSE is very much the one to beat in what is historically an outstanding trial for the blue riband event next month, while Freemantle looks the pick of some classy opponents. Although not as red hot as some, there is nothing wrong with the form of the Brian Meehan yard, and he has been particularly looking forward to running last year's Racing Post Trophy winner, sounding confident in the build-up. The Rainbow Quest colt was impressive when winning at Doncaster in what is another major Derby trial, and today's 10f looks an ideal stepping stone to Epsom. If he runs up to his official mark or, as his trainer hopes, improves, he will take plenty of beating. If there is one minor quibble it is to do with the ground, described by one trainer this week as the fastest he has known on the Knavesmire, and he is not proven on such a surface just yet. Freemantle is one of a pair saddled by Aidan O'Brien and he too is unproven in today's conditions, though pedigree suggests that they will be no problem. Hugely impressive in winning at Tipperary in October, this Galileo colt could be anything and the Ballydoyle vibes have been very positive. Stable companion Black Bear Island had traffic problems when beaten over this trip in a Longchamp Group 3 last month, but he should be fully wound up now and if handling ground this quick he has to be a major player. Godolphin are represented by Kite Wood, who won the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Ascot last year when with Michael Jarvis. Another by Galileo, this step up in trip is a positive and there should be no going concerns. On the book he has 12lbs to find with Crowded House and it will take some performance to bridge that gap. Redwood was a staying-on winner of the Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket last month, and this extra furlong looks perfect. Conditions look ideal for this High Chaparral colt and if there is to be an upset then it could come from him. San Frontieres finished runner-up to Delegator in the Craven Stakes and given that opponent's subsequent Guineas run, Jeremy Noseda's colt is probably a few pounds better than his official mark of 107, and you couldn't rule him out. Nehaam looks best of the rest, but in a fascinating renewal we will take Crowded House to win before making his presence felt at elite level.
Black Bear Island (IRE) 10-11fav (9-2) 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind On Est Bien (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f stk gs in Apr.
Crowded House 7-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway well over 1f out, hung badly left and led just inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Doncaster 1m 2yo stks G1 (1) gd in Oct beating Jukebox Jury (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 15 ran.
Freemantle 13-8 (8-10) Chased leader in 2nd, disputed lead entering straight, led 2f out, quickened clear and stayed on strongly, impressive, won at Tipperary 7f 2yo mdn hvy in Oct beating Signal Fire (9-3) by 10l, 7 ran.
Glass Harmonium (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Raced centre, keen, held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 7l behind Delegator (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Kite Wood (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Made all, led, ridden 2f out, quickened over 1f out, ran on strongly under pressure, driven out, won at Ascot 1m 2yo stks G3 (1) gs in Oct beating Taameer (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Monitor Closely (IRE) 28-1 (9-0) Keen early, soon steadied, held up, pushed along over 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 8th of 15, 7l behind Sea The Stars (9-0) at Newmarket 1m Grp 1 3yo (1) gf.
Native Ruler 8-13fav (9-3) Made all, shaken up over 1f out, ridden out final furlong, comfortably, won at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr beating Ottoman Empire (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Nehaam 8-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, good headway to lead 2f out, edged left and pressed inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo aut stk (2) gf in Apr beating Monitor Closely (9-3) by hd, 18 ran.
Redwood 11-4 (8-13) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders racing keenly, edged right over 3f out, led over 1f out, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 1f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in Apr beating Drumbeat (8-13) by 2l, 5 ran.
Sans Frontieres (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Keen, raced centre, raced awkwardly, ridden over 2f out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Delegator (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
