dwelt, keen, soon with leader, led over 3f out, shaken up over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, headed towards finish
keen, tracked leaders, effort entering final furlong, ridden and gained upper hand towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden 2f, soon one pace
held up rear but in touch, ridden 2f out, never dangerous
slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along halfway, no impression
led, headed over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened tamely approaching final furlong
An interesting if potentially trappy contest and Classic Fortune and Haybrook looks to be the leading players, with Classic Fortune getting the vote. David Elsworth doesn't have many debut juvenile winners but this Royal Applause colt was backed to win and did just that over c&d last month. On that occasion he really took control of the contest late on and so was definitely better value than the official short head margin and looks very likely to improve. The plan is that after this run he will be put away for better turf targets next year. Haybrook is a serious threat after running well here on debut and then going in at Wolverhampton next time. Clearly open to more improvement, he should not be far away. Of the remainder Dhhamaan will be pleased with himself after breaking his duck at the seventh attempt over seven furlongs on his most recent outing, but he definitely looks vulnerable back in trip. John Best has had the winner of this a couple of times in recent years but unlike Kingsgate Castle both had already had racecourse experience and he will do well to have the Kyllachy colt ready to win on debut, so preference is for Classic Fortune.
Classic Fortune (IRE) 5-6fav (9-3) Slowly away, headway halfway, soon ridden, chased leader inside final furlong, ran on, led post, won at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov beating Fast Feet (9-3) by a shd, 11 ran.
Haybrook 13-8 (9-3) Made virtually all, ridden over 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong, won at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov beating Lindelaan (8-12) by 1l, 12 ran.
Dhhamaan (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Made all, quickened clear approaching final furlong, weakened well inside final furlong, held on, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Nov beating Pravda Street (9-3) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mister New York (USA) 40-1 (9-3) Pulled hard, led, headed over 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 11, 9l behind Classic Fortune (9-3) at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Kingsgate Castle Kyllachy colt, half-brother to 6f-7f winner Mugeba and winning stayer Broughtons Revival.
Pretty Ballerina (USA) 66-1 (8-12) Always behind, trailing throughout, eased final furlong, last of 5, 44l behind New Approach (9-1) at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Aug.
