made all, ridden clear well over 1f out, ran on well
slowly into stride, held up, not clear run well over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
held up, headway 3f out, soon ridden, not pace of leaders over 1f out
took keen hold, soon tracking winner, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold in mid-division, shuffled back when not clear run 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression
slowly away, soon in mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 6f out, went 2nd just over 1f out, no impression on winner
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, no chance when eased inside final furlong
Lucayan Dancer's form has tailed off of late and we prefer the claims of Muhannak ahead of Bull Market and Drawn Gold. The selection returns to the racecourse today after a 242 day break, but the level of his form at the end of last season looks better than this race. Quick ground suits and from a good draw, there is no reason why he should not run well, although it must be added that he has tended to need a run or two in the past. Red Somerset's form this season is just average, so a bigger danger may be Bull Market who has won two of his last four starts and despite a rise in the weights he looks competitive. Cheshire Prince knows his way around here and a real market move would look significant, whilst Boo's form looks patchy. Drawn Gold is unexposed and this young gelding must be considered, however we prefer the chance of Muhannak.
Muhannak (IRE) 5-2fav (8-12) Held up in mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, chased leading pair final furlong, just failed to take 2nd, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Polish Power (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Piper's Song (IRE) 22-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 24l behind Handsome Falcon (8-5) at Newcastle 7f hcap (4) gf in May.
Bull Market (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Held up, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, won at Haydock 1m 4f hcap (5) gf in May beating Bad Boy Al (8-4) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Cheshire Prince 12-1 (10-12) Always rear division, 10th of 11, 21l behind Crossbow Creek (11-10) at York 1m 4f hcap (4) gd in May.
Lucayan Dancer 9-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden along and headway 2f out, one pace soon weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 9l behind Moonstreaker (8-7) at Ripon 1m 2f hcap (5) sft.
Boo 7-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 3f out, hung left over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 12l behind Tufton (9-4) at Haydock 1m 3f hcap (5) gf in May.
Drawn Gold 15-2 (8-12) Held up, ridden over 2f out and headway, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Motafarred (9-3) at Pontefract 1m hcap (5) gf in May.
Komreyev Star 5-1jt-fav (9-2) Prominent, chased winner over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 14, 10l behind Sularno (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Red Somerset (USA) 15-2 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, eased final furlong, tailed off, last of 8, 46l behind Punjabi (9-1) at Sandown 1m 2f hcap (4) sft in May.
