led, went sharply left and hampered rival after start, settled 3rd soon after, pushed along and unable to quicken 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd last stride
took keen hold, soon tracked leading trio on outer, pushed along over 3f out, stayed on under pressure to lead final 100 yards, stayed on until headed and outpaced near finish
led after 1f, increased tempo halfway, driven along awkward head carriage and narrowly headed 3f out, stayed challenging and pressing leaders over 1f out, weakened final 100 yards
took keen hold, in touch, driven along and weakened over 2f out
took keen hold early, held up, no real progress from over 2f out
soon tracked leader, challenged 4f out, led narrowly 3f out, kept narrow advantage until headed last half furlong, no extra and weakened to 4th last stride
hampered on rail after start, held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, sustained run on outside from over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
held up in rear, no real progress over 2f out
Nonrunner
This race has the habit of throwing up some really smart performers and BULLET TRAIN could be another, although Admission and Gardening Leave remain horses of some potential too. Henry Cecil won this race in 2007 with subsequent Oaks winner Light Shift and again a year later with the smart Unnefer and Bullet Train has a long way to go before matching their achievements, having scraped home in a Yarmouth maiden last year. However, the front two pulled clear of the field that day and this Dante and Derby entry went in to many notebooks as one to look out for, especially now upped in trip and tackling what should be more likeable ground. The market will tell us more about the yard's expectations, but this Saddlers Wells colt remains in the 'could be anything' category and gets our nomination. Admission won at Yarmouth on his debut too and this son of Azamour should relish the step up in trip, whilst he's already shown he acts with cut as the ground was soft that day. The way he travelled and then put the race to bed was most impressive, but he's no flashy entries and perhaps isn't quite as highly regarded as our selection. In contrast Gardening Leave is well thought of having been pitched in to a Group One on his final start. Andrew Balding's horse ran with credit and prior to that had won his maiden here, so we can expect a big run from this son of Selkirk. Rasmy is entered in the 2000 Guineas and the Derby and Marcus Tregoning's colt looked promising when landing his maiden on ground with cut - it's worth noting the going was described by jockey's as soft that day despite the official description - and he's not without claims although it's questionable what he beat at Bath. Take It To The Max doesn't have the unexposed profile of some but he deserves his rating of 97 and could run into a place whilst Tipperary Boutique acts with cut and represents last year's winning stable, but both may be playing for minor honours being our idea of the winner, Bullet Train.
Admission 10-1 (8-12) Mid-division, smooth headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, pushed clear, ran on strongly, won at Yarmouth 1m mdn stks (5) sft beating Clockmaker (9-13) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Bullet Train 2-1fav (9-3) In touch, travelling well, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct beating Lion Mountain (9-3) by shd, 11 ran.
Gardening Leave (8-13) In touch to over 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 9, 14l behind Passion For Gold (8-13) at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m 2f 2yo Grp 1 hvy in Nov.
Navajo Chief 8-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Aldovrandi (8-12) at Kempton 1m cnd stks (3yo) (2) pol.
Private Story (USA) 3-1 (9-0) Soon held up in rear, reminders over 4f out, headway under pressure over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong but not pace to challenge, 4th of 6, 1 1/2l behind Take It To The Max (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f 2yo stk (2) gd in Oct.
Rasmy 9-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, lead 2f out, ridden clear final furlong, stayed on well, won at Bath 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct beating Breakheart (9-3) by 5l, 15 ran.
Myplacelater 7-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Pipette (8-12) at Kempton 1m Fillies Conditions Stakes (3yo) (2) pol.
Tipperary Boutique (IRE) 5-4fav (8-12) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct beating Xilerator (9-3) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Take It To The Max 9-1 (9-0) Took good hold, led 2f, tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed just over 1f out, kept challenging, hard driven to lead again near finish, won at Newmarket 1m 2f 2yo stk (2) gd in Oct beating Anhar (9-0) by shd, 6 ran.
