in touch until ridden and beaten from halfway
held up, headway over 3f out, chased winner 2f out, ran green and edged right inside final furlong, stayed on under pressure close home
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, lost action, weakened and eased inside final furlong
held up, headway to lead 3f out, all out close home
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
pulled hard, soon led and clear, headed 3f out, soon weakened
Just six line up for the 2:50 and all bar Zariano can boast winning form. Apex Star represents Henry Cecil and had smart two-year-old form, albeit at a lower level than he contests here. Magistretti has the assistance of Kieren Fallon but seemed to regress after his debut win and better claims are held by Excelsius whose two runs as a juvenile were in Italy. He is held in high regard and will be a popular choice given the form of the Dunlop stable at present. However, the one to make them all go is Dunhill Star. The Barry Hills inmate started where he had left off when scoring with plenty in hand at Kempton on his seasonal reappearance. A half-brother to Best Of The Bests, he is still entered for the Vodafone Derby, and although there are big question marks over him staying that far, he should be good enough here with everything, ground included, in his favour.
