hampered start, in rear, behind halfway, headway entering final furlong, ran on near finish, never a threat
in touch, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in rear of main group, headway over 2f out, went 4th and edged left over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
steadied start, in rear of main group, ridden and headway when edged left entering final furlong, never a threat
held up, headway 3f out, chased leader over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
went right start, outpaced, behind halfway
tracked leaders, switched left to challenge 1f out, ridden and no impression
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and soon headed, weakened 1f out
Kajima arrives in search of the hat-trick and has shown a liking for Epsom but we prefer AL FARAHIDI on this occasion, with Treadwell and Cansili Star others to consider. Mark Johnston's unexposed sort ran well in a particularly warm handicap at Haydock last time, so whilst it's a concern that he's been bumped up 9lbs in the ratings there should be more to come. It's surely significant that Frankie Dettori prefers him to Duellist and we'll take the hint, despite there being slight concerns surrounding the drop in trip. Kajima won nicely enough at Warwick last time but this is tougher and she'll do well to go in again under a penalty. She has shown a liking for Epsom by winning over nine furlongs here prior to that but this is a much more competitive race and she may be found out. Treadwell was behind Kaptain Kirkup last time so that horse's run in the 16:50 must be watched with interest before confident assessment of his claims can be made. He's got speed in abundance and should take a high ranking here, but the 4lb rise he's incurred for taking second at York may be enough to keep him out of the winners' enclosure. Cansili Star readily landed a Lingfield maiden last time but he's now 5lbs higher than when held in a Goodwood handicap back in September and it remains to be seen whether he's improved over the winter, so he's taken on along with Citrus Star, who is bred to stay this far but looks every inch a sprinter on the evidence we've seen to date. The closing contest of Friday's Epsom card can go the way of Mark Johnston's Al Farahidi.
Citrus Star (USA) 4-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon hung left, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Rodrigo De Torres (9-0) at Doncaster 7f con stks (3) gf in May.
Treadwell (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, driven and outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on on outside to chase winner inside final furlong, edged left towards finish, no impression, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Kaptain Kirkup (9-3) at York 7f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Al Farahidi (USA) 20-1 (8-4) Led and soon clear, ridden over 1f out, headed last 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Balducci (8-3) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (2) gf in May.
Nosedive 16-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Folly Bridge (8-6) at Nottingham 6f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in May.
Gramercy (IRE) 11-4 (8-11) Keen hold, held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 10, 12l behind Dafeef (9-2) at Salisbury 7f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
Cansili Star Evensfav (9-3) Raced on stand rail, made all, pushed out final furlong, easily, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in May beating Sheer Force (9-3) by 3l, 11 ran.
Duellist 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner well over 1f out, edged right and lost 2nd entering final furlong, stayed on same pace, 4th of 9, 4l behind Subtefuge (8-11) at Warwick 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Whistleinthewind (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Tracked winner until over 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 15, 20l behind Green Moon (8-11) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Kajima 15-8fav (9-4) Held up, headway over 1f out, ran on under pressure to lead post, won at Warwick 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May beating Night Trade (9-2) by ns, 10 ran.
Kingston Acacia 11-2 (9-4) Made all, ridden well over 1f out, ran on, won at Warwick 7f fll hcp (5) gd in May beating Love Match (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
