mid-division, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
tracked winner, ridden to challenge 2f out, weakened final furlong
always in rear
in rear, plenty to do 2f out, ridden and headway 1f out, ran on, not reach leaders
in rear, ridden and kept on final furlong, never a factor
in touch, headway over 1f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression near finish
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
made all, ridden 2f out, ran on gamely
slowly into stride, mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
AMOUR PROPRE may be able to emulate last year's performance where Borderlescott was back in third whilst Blue Jack appeared to be a vastly improved performer at Newbury. Following his impressive performance in this contest, the wheels came off Amour Propre's campaign at Ascot, after which he could finish only fifth in the Nunthorpe after another short break. However, that was a more encouraging performance and he still has the scope to make up into a top class sprinter this year with just seven starts to his name. Borderlescott is a popular figure on the track and performed as well as ever last season but the sands of time must be running thin for this veteran and more questions may be asked by the younger legs of Blue Jack who made an impressive start to his career for new connections when readily accounting for Elnawin and others in a competitive handicap. Total Gallery will surely struggle under his penalty whilst Equiano has yet to convince that he's capable of running up to the level of his King's Stand winning performance. There may be more to come from Spin Cycle this season whilst Sole Power appears to be the best hope that the Classic generation have of completing a hat-trick in this race but that bid may be foiled by last year's winner Amour Propre.
Total Gallery (IRE) 28-1 (9-0) 6th of 14, 3l behind Sacred Kingdom (9-0) at Sha Tin(HK) 6f Grp 1 gd in Dec.
Amour Propre 6-1 (9-9) With winner, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 16, 1 3/4l behind Borderlescott (9-11) at York 5f Grp 1 (1) gf in Aug.
Arganil (USA) 4-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, pressed leader entering final furlong, led final strides, won at Lingfield 5f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) pol in Mar beating Glamorous Spirit (8-9) by shd, 10 ran.
Blue Jack 10-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway going well 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, pushed into lead entering final furlong, soon quickened clear, easily, won at Newbury 5f hcp (2) gd in Apr beating Elnawin (8-13) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Bonnie Charlie 8-1 (9-10) Close up, ridden 2f out, effort entering final furlong, stayed on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, 2nd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Esoterica (8-13) at Newmarket 7f hcp 105 (2) gd in Oct.
Borderlescott 8-1 (9-0) 11th of 14, 6l behind Sacred Kingdom (9-0) at Sha Tin(HK) 6f Grp 1 gd in Dec.
Elnawin 7-2fav (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, never any chance with easy winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Blue Jack (8-6) at Newbury 5f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Equiano (FR) 11-4fav (9-5) Made all, ridden and hung right from over 1f out, pressed near finish, all out and held on, won at Newmarket 6f Listed stks (1) gf in Apr beating Mullionmileanhour (9-5) by shd, 8 ran.
Rowe Park 9-1 (8-12) Outpaced in rear, ridden and headway towards far side over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong but never going pace to reach leaders, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Blue Jack (8-6) at Newbury 5f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Spin Cycle (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 5f Listed stks (1) gf in Oct beating Noble Storm (8-12) by nk, 12 ran.
Sole Power 11-2 (8-12) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 5f 3yo stks pol in Apr beating Luisant (9-9) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Star Rover (IRE) 66-1 (8-6) Chased winner until over 2f out, 11th of 13, 12l behind Inxile (9-5) at Doncaster 6f Listed stks (1) sft in Mar.
