tracked clear leader, led approaching 2 out, headed next, rallied under pressure to lead close home
led, soon clear, headed approaching 2 out, weakened
held up, headway 4th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next
tracked clear leader, jumped right throughout, weakened 4 out
held up in rear, tailed off 4
held up in touch, headway 3 out, every chance 2 out, led last, headed, no extra close home
behind, headway 4th last, soon chasing leaders, weakened before 2 out
held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out, pulled up next
Art Professor won well on his debut and with the stable in form, he can carry his penalty to victory; Peredur and Metaphoric look two dangers. The selection showed ability on the flat without being anything remotely special (for John Hills), but he stepped up on that when recording an easy success at Bangor earlier this month. He was eased down considerably but still won by a distance and he looks capable of running well under his penalty. Metaphoric has been kept in training for a campaign over hurdles and he was easily the best of these on the flat. Michael Bell's charge is proven on any ground and if he jumps the obstacles then he looks the type to do well. Didactic and Etoile D'Or are both potential improvers after just one start each, whilst Peredeur won his only start to date over the course and distance. He had to work hard for the win on that occasion and he may find this tougher. At a price Zero Cool could hit the frame for his in-form trainer, however it is Art Professor who gets the nod.
Art Professor (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, mistake last, won at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) gs beating Pheidias (10-12) by 25l, 12 ran.
Peredur (GER) 11-8fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led approaching 4th, ridden 2 out, jumped left and blundered badly last, recovered well, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Slavonic Lake (10-12) by 1l, 12 ran.
Bormo (FR) (10-3) Prominent, kept on, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Meta Collins (10-3) at Dax 1m 7f hdl sft in Apr.
Cap St Jean (IRE) 4-1 (8-5) Held up and keen, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Goose Green (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Oct (Flat).
Didactic 16-1 (10-12) Held up behind, headway 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, no impression, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Park's Prodigy (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gf.
Gifted Heir (IRE) 13-2 (8-13) In rear, ridden over 2f out, never nearer, 6th of 11, 10l behind Kassuta (7-12) at Yarmouth 1m clm (6) gs in Oct (Flat).
Metaphoric (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 10l behind Lion Sands (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in Oct (Flat).
Zero Cool (USA) 11-4fav (9-0) Led, narrowly headed over 3f out, regained lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong no extra, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Duchess Royale (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Oct (Flat).
Milliegait 16-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 5l behind Ansells Pride (8-10) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd (Flat).
Etoile d'Or (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Led, headed before 2 out, weakened quickly, 6th of 8, 28l behind Lemon Silk (10-9) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gd.
