held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, ran on
held up in touch, weakened over 2f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, every chance over 1f out, kept on well, never nearer
held up in touch, pushed along over 6f out, chased leaders 4f out, stayed on strongly towards finish
slowly into stride, soon tailed off, eased
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
behind until some late headway
always behind
always behind
behind, ridden over 4f out, soon no impression
Otaki is taken to land this with Starstruck Peter and Dubai Ace likely to chase him home. Sir Mark Prescotts' filly failed to justify a 10lb hike last time having been successful on her penultimate start, the step up in trip been the key to that victory. She did appear another likely candidate to build up a sequence of wins from this stable but down 2lb today we nominate her to atone for that disappointment last time. Starstruck Peter displayed a low level of ability in Ireland but seemed to appreciate the drop in grade last time when causing a surprise to land a similar contest to today. Up just 2lb for that win he should be thereabouts if a display similar to last time is repeated. Dubai Ace is very one paced but will be plugging on when others have cried enough while Salut Saint Cloud appears a light of former seasons but a return to winning ways may not be too far away judged on a fourth placing last time. Despite that disappointing effort last time Otaki should be able to land this.
Dubai Ace (USA) 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, driven over 3f out, kept on, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Flame Creek (9-13) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Rose Bien 14-1 (8-8) Held up, driven and headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on well under pressure, 4th of 12, 2l behind Dhehdaah (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jun.
Arabian Sun 7-1 (8-4) Towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 17l behind Inchpast (9-6) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Salut Saint Cloud 9-2 (9-1) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 10, 6l behind Mujamead (9-4) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Victory Mile (USA) 8-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden and outpaced 3f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 7, 9l behind Champagne Shadow (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f clm (6) pol.
Otaki (IRE) 5-4fav (9-9) Held up, steady headway from 4f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 6l behind Mujamead (9-8) at W'hampton 2m 1f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
Starstruck Peter (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 8f out, led 5f out, ridden 2f out, kept on, won at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Chiff Chaff (8-8) by 1l, 11 ran.
Backlash 12-1 (9-2) Soon tracking leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened approaching 2f out, 7th of 11, 27l behind Wizard of Us (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Jan.
Lysander's Quest (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Led after 2f, headed over 3f out, weakened rapidly, tailed off, last of 9, 24l behind Up In Arms (9-1) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Mango Masher (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Held up, headway on inside over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Starstruck Peter (8-10) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Chiff Chaff 11-2 (8-7) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 10, 17l behind Mujamead (9-4) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
