started slowly, soon mid-division, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place
keen and in touch, lost position 4f out, weakened 2f out
prominent, ridden approaching 3f out to chase leaders, soon one pace
slowly into stride, outpaced but ran on from 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened when hampered approaching 2f out
in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out
keen and prominent, sqeezed through to lead over 1f out, ran on well
prominent, ridden 3f out, switched left 2ft out, one pace final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
This race seems to lack strength in depth and The Violin Player looks best to us with Muhaymin possibly emerging as his biggest danger. The selection was third behind Leitrim House at Newmarket last time, form enough to entitle him to go close here. Muhaymin is bred to be a star, being by AP Indy out of the 1,000 Guineas winner Shadayid but only showed a modicum of promise on his debut. Intikraft was disappointing last time but showed promise the time before at Salisbury. Nantucket Sound is interesting in that it is quite rare for Martin Pipe to have a runner in this type of contest, while Mick Channon is represented by Groomer and Richard Hannon by Saipan, and both stable shave to be respected at this level. That said, the best form on offer comes from The Violin Player, who gets our vote.
