led main group towards stands side rail and well on terms with centre group, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leader in centre group, ridden to lead over 2f out until 2f, no extra inside final furlong
soon pushed along in rear in main group, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to get to leaders
led group of 4 in centre and overall, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch in main group, headway over 2f out, stayed on to chase winner final furlong, no impression
took keen hold, tracked leaders in centre group, smooth headway over 2f out, led 2f out, pushed out final furlong, ran on well
slowly into stride, always in rear of main group
awkward leaving stalls, soon close up main group, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear of main group, ridden and struggling over 2f out
held up last in group of 4 in centre, headway 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong
took keen hold, held up in rear of main group, never on terms
close up in main group, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
prominent in main group, hard ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
Rjeef has been progressing well and has no fitness questions to answer but our feeling is some of the less exposed horses could dominate this contest; we'll nominate HIGH CONSTABLE to come out on top ahead of Rebel Soldier, Meezaan and Oasis Dancer. Our selection improved upon his racecourse debut to win a Wolverhampton maiden in fine style and two of those in behind have come out and won since. One of them, Greyfriarschoristar from Mark Johnston's yard, is now rated 99 having been beaten by a nose in a Listed contest, making this mark of 87 appear extremely generous. Roger Charlton's animal is related to a Group One winner and should progress well this season, with our sole concern being he wouldn't want the ground any softer than is predicted. This race contains a host of similarly unexposed and feasibly handicapped sorts, with Rebel Soldier and Meezaan also making their handicap debuts following straight-forward maiden successes. The first named is a 210,000gns purchase who had been impressing on the gallops prior to landing his maiden at Lingfield in a race that has produced a couple of winners. He's capable of much more and will win races, but perhaps Meezaan is the better handicapped of the pair. John Gosden's charge was pitched into the Timeform Million for his debut - a race won by Oasis Dancer - before readily landing a maiden at Lingfield. He won't mind a bit of cut and the yard have started this season well. On bare form Oasis Dancer should have his measure and Ralph Beckett's charge warrants respect, especially as the horse he finished behind at Goodwood on his second start is very highly thought of. However, he improved with racing as a juvenile and may just need this run to blow away the cobwebs. Rjeef is now 9lbs higher for his return to turf but he may have more improvement in him, although our feeling is he'll need it and Clive Brittain's charge is opposable. Mr Irons was a very expensive buy and has a nice pedigree, but he's got to show that this slower ground isn't a problem as he won on good-to-firm and is related to top-of-the-ground horses, whilst the horse also looks set to improve when stepped up to a mile and more. Bowmaker has questions to answer following a relatively poor run last time, Gramercy needs to improve having landed an average affair last season and Be Invincible, representing last year's winning combination, doesn't look as well treated as some. This is a fascinating affair and the market will be a good guide to what is expected of many of these, but High Constable is surely well-handicapped and gets the vote.
Oasis Dancer 66-1 (9-3) Raced far side, tracked leader, led and overall leader over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo aut (2) gf in Oct beating Kona Coast (9-3) by nk, 22 ran.
Rjeef (IRE) 5-2 (9-4) Keen, raced wide close up, led 1f out, ridden and quickened clear, readily, won at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar beating Tenacestream (8-13) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Rebel Soldier (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) In rear but not far away, good head-way to track leaders 3f out, shaken up to lead 1f out, quickened clear, impressive, won at Lingfield 1m 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Feb beating Gumnd (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bowmaker 4-9fav (9-7) Tracked leading pair, chased winner over 1f out, soon ridden, badly hampered when challenging and snatched up inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 4, 2l behind Raddy 'ell Pauline (9-5) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
High Constable 4-6fav (8-5) Tracked leader, always travelling well, led approaching final furlong, pushed clear, comfortably, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan beating Greyfriarschorista (8-5) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Meezaan (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Raced freely, led, shaken up, ran green and went right over 1f out, in control when went left inside final furlong, ran on well (hand timed), won at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct beating Mass Rally (9-3) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
Russian Rock (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden and effort over 2f out, not quicken and outpaced over 1f out, 12th of 22, 8l behind Strike The Tiger (9-3) at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Wisecraic 25-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 9l behind Awzaan (9-1) at Newbury 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Sep.
Planet Red (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Tracked leader until over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 9l behind Aldovrandi (8-12) at Kempton 1m cnd stks (3yo) (2) pol.
Gramercy (IRE) 6-4fav (9-3) In touch after 1f, shaken up to lead approaching 1f out, soon in command, comfortable, won at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov beating Goddess Of Light (8-12) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Mr Irons (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Prominent, effort over 2f out, edged left entering final furlong, led close home, won at Redcar 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Oct beating Tesslam (9-3) by hd, 7 ran.
Gallant Eagle (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) In rear, switched left over 2f out, hung right and headway on outer approaching final furlong, ran on to go 2nd final strides, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Duellist (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Be Invincible (IRE) 17-2 (9-2) Held up mid-division, lost place over 2f out, 8th of 13, 8l behind Leviathan (9-1) at Doncaster 7f 2yo hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Suffolk Punch (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Soon held up in touch, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on again inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Stags Leap (8-12) at Warwick 7f 2yo stks (3) gd in Aug.
