led 1f, soon steadied in 3rd, headway edged right and bumped rival over 2f out, soon led, headed inside final 2f, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, lost 2nd close home
held up in rear, steady headway far side of group 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
held up in 5th on inside, steady headway 4f out, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final 2f, clear when hung left to far rail final furlong, stayed on strongly
tracked leading trio, headway out wide approaching final 4f challenging when bumped over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f, eased
raced wide early, tracked leaders, went 2nd over 10f out, led just over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon outpaced, plugged on again inside final furlong
held up in last pair, headway out wide tracking leaders over 4f out, challenging when hung left and bumped rival over 2f out, ridden 2f out, wandered and no impression over 1f out, modest 4th final furlong
raced keenly tracking leader, led after 1f, brought field centre in home straight, headed approaching final 4f, lost 2nd weakened quickly over 2f out, tailed off
NonRunner
Hurricane Lane disappointed when odds-on favourite in both starts last year having won three times at the highest level as a three-year-old. He beat Mojo Star in the St Leger and Lone Eagle in the Irish Derby in 2021 but that pair also failed to win last season with the latter beaten by stablemate MAX VEGA in the St Simon here in October. Ralph Beckett’s charge had earlier won this contest on his reappearance and looks the one most likely to run his race. Grand Alliance is another with something to find with the selection while Israr beat Surrey Mist in a handicap over 1m2f here last May and the latter went on to win a Listed race in France.
Max Vega (IRE) 22-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd inside final 2f, stayed on inside final furlong, led towards finish, all out, won at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) hvy in Oct beating Hamish (9-9) by hd, 8 ran.
Farhan (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Towards rear, headway when hampered over 2f out, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, 10th of 21, 15l behind Metier (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
Grand Alliance (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, raced keenly, held up in last trio on inside, headway on inner into modest 3rd over 1f out, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Max Vega (9-9) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Hurricane Lane (IRE) (9-2) 8th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Alpinista (8-12) at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f Grp 1 stks gs in Jul.
Lone Eagle (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Soon led and set steady pace, pushed along and joined 2f out, soon headed and lost 2nd, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 14 1/4l behind Max Vega (9-9) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Mojo Star (IRE) 15-2 (9-3) Held up off the pace in last trio, headway out wide 2f out, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out, strong challenge inside final furlong, found no extra and held final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Kyprios (9-3) at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Surrey Mist (FR) (8-13) 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Haya Zark (8-13) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f Grp 3 stks hvy in Mar.
Israr 5-2fav (9-11) Raced wide close up, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 21, 21 3/4l behind Metier (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
