slowly away, always in rear
chased winner after 2f until over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway to chase winner over 2f out, kept on, no chance with winner
made all, soon clear, increased lead halfway, ridden out, impressive
held up, ridden over 3f out, kept on, not troubled leaders
in rear, ridden 3f out, kept on, never near leaders
held up, never a factor
in touch, ridden and headway to chase winner over 2f out, kept on, no chance with winner
held up, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased winner 2f, close up, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
slowly away, in rear, never a factor
in touch, outpaced halfway, ridden 3f out, driven and stayed on to go 4th inside final furlong, never dangerous
FRANKEL is hardly an original selection but Henry Cecil's imposing colt has done everything right in preparation for the season's first classic and, given a trouble-free passage, should extend his unbeaten record even though he didn't look entirely happy on faster ground when winning the Greenham on his reappearance. There are several others with viable claims if misfortune befalls the favourite including Pathfork, who also defends an unbeaten record and beat subsequent Racing Post Trophy winner Casamento in the National Stakes at the Curragh in September. He holds Craven Stakes winner Native Khan and Dubawi Gold on a line through the latter. Roderic O'Connor was second to Frankel in the Dewhurst Stakes in October and won a Group 1 at Saint-Cloud shortly after while connections hold Fury, successful here and at Newbury last year, in high regard and he may be the pick of the remainder.
Broox (IRE) (8-13) Led early, headed over 1f out, weakened quickly after, 9th of 13, 12l behind Blu Constellation (8-13) at Maisons-laffitte(FR) 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Nov.
Casamento (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon edged right, kept on well under pressure, won at Doncaster 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct beating Seville (9-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Dubawi Gold 10-11fav (9-0) Took keen hold tracked leader until 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m 3yo Listed stks (1) pol beating Hamlool (9-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Frankel 1-4fav (9-0) Soon tracking leader, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Newbury 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf beating Excelebration (9-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
Fury 11-2fav (9-3) Mid-division far side, headway on far side rail 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo aut (2) sft in Oct beating Pisco Sour (9-3) by 1 3/4l, 27 ran.
Happy Today (USA) 15-2 (8-13) Close up, pressed winner from 3f out, looked held over 1f out, rallied to have every chance inside final furlong, ran on, always held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Dordogne (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f Listed stks 3yo (1) gf.
Loving Spirit 15-8fav (9-3) In touch, headway 3f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, hung left and went 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Mantoba (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2yo stks (2) gd in Oct.
Native Khan (FR) 8-11fav (8-12) Keen early, close up, led over 1f out, kept up to work when idled and edged left towards finish, won at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf beating Libranno (9-1) by 2l, 6 ran.
Pathfork (USA) 2-1 (9-1) Settled 3rd, 2nd halfway, led 2f out, 1 length advantage entering final furlong, stayed on well under pressure, strongly pressed close home, all out, won at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) in Sep beating Casamento (9-1) by hd, 9 ran.
Rerouted (USA) 6-1 (9-4) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed and stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Pausanias (8-12) at Newmarket 7f Listed Handicap (3yo) (1) gf.
Roderic O'Connor (IRE) 5-2 (8-13) Prominent, quickened and clear early in straight, drifted left and right, ridden and ran on final furlong, comfortably, won at Saint-Cloud(FR) 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct beating Salto (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Saamidd 7-1 (9-1) Hampered start, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 17l behind Frankel (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Slim Shadey 16-1 (8-12) Chased leader until over 3f out, soon weakened under pressure, last of 5, 15l behind Frankel (8-12) at Ascot 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs in Sep.
