taken to post very early, keen hold in rear, never in contention, well behind final 3f
held up towards rear, effort, edged right, no impression from 2f out
slowly into stride, took keen hold, always behind
in touch, pushed along 3f out, headway 2f out, stayed on to press winner inside final furlong, always held
in touch, weakened 4f out, soon well behind
led to 2f out, chased winner to over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
never reached beyond mid-division
tracked leaders, went 2nd before halfway, ridden to lead 2f out, stayed on well, always holding runner-up towards finish
in touch, driven on inside 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, steady headway on outside from 2f out, kept on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
chased leaders over 8f
slowly into stride, behind, ridden on outside 3f out, soon beaten
in touch, headway 2f out, chased winner over 1f out until not quicken inside final furlong
chased leader to before halfway, weakened rapidly, tailed off final 3f
in touch, driven, hung right, no impression final 2f
Nonrunner
One word to sum this race up - 'competitive'. From a lengthy shortlist of Cormorant Wharf, Garrulous, Faversham, I'm Spartacus and Royal Premier, the vote goes to the last-mentioned. A winner on his latest start at Yarmouth (him first, the rest nowhere), he renews his partnership with the in-form Seb Sanders and having put in a performance like that when last seen, it will be disappointing if he cannot go close despite a 10lb rise in the weights. Faversham improved to take second in a seller twelve days ago but that was a weak race and further improvement is needed. Alekhine won on the all-weather when last seen but may need the run after a break, whilst I'm Spartacus has a great name and his form as a three-year old wasn't bad either, winning off a mark of 84. Some time jumping hurdles may have renewed his enthusiasm and so he must rate a threat. Cormorant Wharf is consistent so has claims despite looking high enough in the weights, whilst Garrulous represents an in-form stable and if progressing from his recent win on the all-weather should go well. Tough, but Royal Premier gets the nod.
Cormorant Wharf (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Raced wide, held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, led 2f out, headed 1f out and stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Zalkani (10-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Velvet Valley (USA) 5-2 (8-13) Held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 10l behind William's Way (9-1) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Apr.
Alekhine (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, smooth headway on outside over 4f out, stayed on to lead approaching final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov beating Bowled Out (9-6) by a nk, 13 ran.
Moon Star (GER) (9-4) 3rd of 7, 10l behind Glavalcour (9-11) at Avenches 1m 2f stk hvy in Apr '06.
Royal Premier (IRE) 15-2 (8-11) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, pushed clear over 1f out, eased inside final furlong, won at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr beating Missie Baileys (8-12) by 7l, 9 ran.
Garrulous (UAE) 10-1 (9-6) Prominent, keen, shaken up to lead 1f out, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (6) pol in Apr beating Come What July (8-8) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Santaverti 6-1 (9-13) Towards rear, ridden and some headway over 3f out, never trouble leaders, 5th of 10, 9l behind Moon Empress (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol in Apr.
Im Spartacus 20-1 (9-1) Dwelt and towards rear, headway to lead 7f out, headed over 5f out, ridden along over 3f out, soon beaten, 14th of 16, 12l behind Brief Goodbye (9-5) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
