slowly into stride, soon outpaced
held up, never on terms
held up, never on terms
slightly slowly into stride, soon held up in touch, ridden to lead inside final furlong
prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, not quicken near finish
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
dwelt, short lived effort towards centre 2f out
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
taken to post early, led, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
with leader, led approaching 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, stayed on
tracked leaders, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders over 3f
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
Cape Royal gets the tentative vote in this open contest ahead of Handsome Cross, Dhaular Dhar, and Kay Too. The selection has won over course and distance before and with his blistering early pace, this track suits him to a 'T'. He wasn't beaten far last time out and is now back on a winning mark. Dhaular Dhar has relished the drop to sprinting and whilst he must have claims, the fast ground and the lightning pace on here may just see him outpaced. Kay Too comes here chasing the hat-trick but the ground appears too lively so he is passed over, and of more interest may be Bluebok who has ground and trip to suit and has a traditionally beneficial high draw. Handsome Cross is consistent but normally finds one too good so for the winner we will stick with the well-drawn Cape Royal.
Dhaular Dhar (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Towards rear, pushed along and headway 2f out, driven over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Giganticus (8-6) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Masta Plasta (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, weakening when not much room over 1f out, 13th of 19, 9l behind Fantasy Believer (8-13) at York 5f hcap (2) gd in Sept.
Idle Power (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 8th of 11, 3l behind Saviours Spirit (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Nov.
Cape Royal 9-1 (8-8) Led, pushed along halfway, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 18, 3/4l behind Pivotal's Princess (9-4) at Beverley 5f hcap (3) gf.
Moorhouse Lad 12-1 (8-7) Raced wide, chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 4l behind Areyoutalkingtome (10-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Handsome Cross (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Chased leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Geojimali (8-10) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Pic Up Sticks 20-1 (8-1) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 4l behind Maltese Falcon (8-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Magic Glade 7-1 (8-3) Chased leaders on outside, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 11, 12l behind Ajigolo (8-6) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Classic Encounter (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Taken to post early, chased winner, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, last of 7, 3l behind Merlin's Dancer (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Kay Two (IRE) 11-2jt-fav (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct beating Rainbow Rising (8-11) by 1l, 18 ran.
Bluebok 16-1 (8-7) In touch, driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 18, 2 1/2l behind Pivotal's Princess (9-4) at Beverley 5f hcap (3) gf.
Don't Tell Sue 12-1 (9-7) Awkward leaving stalls, raced keenly and soon lead, headed 2f out, soon not ridden and eased final furlong, last of 11, 9l behind Burning Incense (9-1) at Windsor 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Jayanjay 7-1 (8-8) Held up, ridden 2f out, no impression, 6th of 9, 6l behind Lethal (9-2) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
