tracked clear leading pair, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
held up in last trio, good headway on outside 3f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 1f out, ridden hung both ways and stayed on inside final furlong, no extra and headed close home
soon led and set good pace, raced wide 1st 4f, ridden and headed entering final 2f, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in last pair, headway when not clearest of runs briefly over 1f out, 3rd inside final furlong, staying on but looked held when hampered well inside final furlong
held up in 5th, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not quite pace to challenge
tracked leader, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
held up in last pair, pushed along on outside over 3f out, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not quite pace to challenge
tracked leading trio, went 2nd and edged left 2f out, soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied gamely to lead again close home
Sir Michael Stoute has a good record in this and bids for a third straight victory with MIDTERM (NAP). The Classic Trial winner at Sandown last season, he went close in the Prix Neil at Chantilly later in the year and this return to 1m4f will suit. Chemical Charge won a conditions race at Doncaster on his reappearance when Muntahaa finished third but the latter is expected to reverse running on today’s revised terms but Listed winners Dal Harraild and the unbeaten Crimean Tatar need to improve this year to match the selection. Second Step ran below par when well beaten by Dal Harraild at Newmarket in September and has changed yards subsequently while Dylan Mouth has yet to win outside Italy.
Quarterback (EG) 16-1 (9-5) Held up, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 6th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Absolute Blast (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f lst stks (1) pol in Apr.
Chemical Charge (IRE) 15-8fav (9-0) In touch, went 3rd from 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon clear, won at Doncaster 1m 4f stks (2) gd in Apr beating Saigon City (9-0) by 2l, 6 ran.
Dylan Mouth (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Prize Money (8-11) at Meydan 1m 4f Grp 2 gd in Mar.
Second Step (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Slowly into stride, close up in rear, effort over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 16l behind Dal Harraild (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stks (1) gf in Sep.
Crimean Tatar (TUR) 5-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up, towards rear, not clear run and switched left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, edged right and led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 1m 4f lst stks (1) pol in Nov beating Chemical Charge (9-6) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Dal Harraild 9-4fav (8-11) Made all, ridden and joined over 1f out, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stks (1) gf in Sep beating Barsanti (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Midterm 12-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, tracking leaders, pushed along 3f out, not quicken 2f out, no danger after, 7th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Almanzor (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Muntahaa (IRE) 2-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, joined leader over 4f out, ridden 2f out, no extra and lost 2nd place inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Chemical Charge (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f stks (2) gd in Apr.
Restorer (8-11) 9th of 10, 24 3/4l behind Cloth Of Stars (9-4) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 3 stks gs in Mar.
