held up in touch, improved 4f out, pressing leading pair over 1f out, eased when weakening well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, strong challenge from over 1f out until inside final furlong, unable to quicken and beaten well inside final furlong
held up, effort over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
made all, strongly pressed when edged left over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, going away towards finish
pressed winner, ridden 3f out, weakened under pressure over 1f out
Nonrunner
DUBAI CREST tops the shortlist of Mutamaashi, Takaatuf and Opinion Poll who all command plenty of respect. Amanda Perrett's horses have started the season well and this Dubai Destination colt has more experience than most of his rivals this afternoon. Towards the end of last season he really got the hang of things and he proved on his reappearance at Beverley that he has continued to progress by beating a competitive field with a little in hand. Accordingly he has a 10lb rise in the weights for that win which looks a tad harsh but he is open to more improvement and is narrowly preferred. Takaatuf looks the pick of the Mark Johnston pair and this unexposed colt is open to plenty of improvement this season, although Richard Hills prefers Mutamaashi. William Haggas's runner was a beaten favourite last time out at Ripon but Sakhee's tend to progress well and he looks sure to appreciate this longer trip. Opinion Poll makes his seasonal return today; he beat Three Moons last time who runs in the preceding race and she may frank the form. The step up in trip will suit this son of Halling and he won't be far away if fit. Marching Time is dropped in class having contested the Racing Post Trophy on his final start last season; he is by Sadler's Wells out of a half-sister to Zafonic so he comes here with something to live up to and he must be of interest. Marks of 90 look to be high enough for the Richard Hannon-trained pair of Midnight Cruiser and Aurorian, so it is Dubai Crest who receives our vote of confidence in the finale.
Opinion Poll (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Always prominent, pressed leader from over 6f out, led 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, won at Leicester 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct beating Three Moons (8-12) by 1l, 13 ran.
Dubai Crest 9-4fav (9-1) Held up in touch, headway over 1f out, switched left just inside final furlong, ridden and stayed on strongly to lead towards finish, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr beating Gaily Noble (9-4) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Al Sabaheya 16-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, 9th of 10, 8l behind Saint Arch (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Mar.
Takaatuf (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Led, ridden 2f out, soon pressed, driven, stayed on gamely, headed final strides, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind Kings Destiny (9-0) at Leicester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Guestofthenation (USA) 9-4fav (9-7) With leader, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 10l behind Worth A King's (8-1) at Great Leighs 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Midnight Cruiser (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Held up 4th, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Racketeer (8-4) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
Aurorian (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 12l behind High Heeled (8-8) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo stk (3) gs in Apr.
Mutamaashi 6-5fav (9-0) Slowly into stride, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Crackdown (9-7) at Ripon 1m 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Marching Time 20-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 15, 20l behind Crowded House (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2yo stks G1 (1) gd in Oct.
