towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear and pushed along, ridden over 1f out, soon switched left, kept on towards finish
made all, ridden inside final furlong, held on well towards finish
slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, edged left over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division and keen, ridden over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders, every chance over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon switched left, kept on to take 2nd towards finish
chased leader, challenged over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on and lost 2nd place towards finish
A decent prize has attracted a strong field for the time of year and most look to have some sort of chance. William Haggas saddled Bilimbi to win the first running of this contest 12 months ago and now relies on Tadqeeq. He was just touched off at Thirsk in September before winning a maiden at Wolverhampton and looks to have the best of the draw. Mister Universe was last seen in a Listed race at Salisbury in August but a wide berth could be a problem and Alans Pride is even wider on the track. Richard Fahey's pair have fared better in that respect and his ARCANO GOLD gets a tentative vote as he was generally progressive as a two-year-old and looks the type to do even better at three. Richard Hannon sends Tom Hark up from Lambourn and he did nothing wrong last year while Moonlightnavigator won over 7f here last July. Berland could also go well if fully wound-up but Tapeta and Fibresand winner Ciao Cielo will probably need to up his game.
Mister Universe 7-1 (9-1) Tracked winner, challenged over 2f out, soon edged left, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Elm Park (9-1) at Salisbury 1m 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Tom Hark (FR) 4-6fav (8-12) Set very steady pace, quickened halfway, strongly challenged over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon rallied, led again inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Salisbury 1m 2yo nov stk (4) gd in Sep beating Equitanus (8-12) by 2 1/4l, 3 ran.
Moonlightnavigator (USA) 13-8fav (9-7) Tracked leader early, close 3rd after, driven over 2f out, went 2nd again over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Ayr 1m 2yo nov stk (4) gd in Sep beating Swift Approval (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Dominada (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 14l behind Pandora (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Mar.
Ciao Cielo (GER) 5-2 (9-7) Slowly into stride, soon recovered to track leaders, ridden and effort towards stands side 2f out, challenged 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Jan beating Lysander The Greek (8-11) by 1l, 4 ran.
Arcano Gold (IRE) 7-2fav (9-5) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and ran on, won at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Nov beating Desert Encounter (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 17 ran.
Alans Pride (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon lost 2nd, 3rd and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Crafty Choice (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Oct.
Spring Offensive (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, just failed, 2nd of 15, shd behind Invincible Gold (9-7) at York 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Chadic 16-1 (9-7) Led early, chased leader, led again over 3f out, headed well over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 6, 12l behind My Reward (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2yo nov stks (3) pol in Oct.
Berland (IRE) 9-4fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, kept on to chase leading pair inside final furlong, no impression, lost 3rd final 50 yards, 4th of 7, 4l behind Azraff (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 2yo hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Tadqeeq 9-4 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) in Sep beating Champagne Bob (9-5) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
