tracked leaders, headway to challenge 2f out, soon ridden, kept on every chance until hung right and one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon beaten
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no chance with leading pair
mid-division, outpaced over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
behind, ridden and outpaced over 4f out, kept on final 2f, never nearer
in touch, driven over 4f out, soon weakened, eased over 1f out, tailed off
behind, pushed along over 5f out, never able to challenge
raced keenly, tracked leader, headway to lead over 2f out, driven and drew clear final furlong
Withdrawn
The longest priced winner of this maiden in 10 years has been 5/1, and favourites have a great record in the contest, and we are going to look no further than French Art to do the business for David Elsworth and Seb Sanders, while Woodcutter and Wood Chorus are respected. French Art has achieved the highest rating of those to have an official mark on the back of some promising form that has not yet quite delivered. His Newmarket debut run behind Twice Over now reads pretty well, and he wasn't disgraced last time at Yarmouth, but the key to him here is the step up in trip, which can see him improve and that should be good enough. Wood Chorus has been placed on each of her three starts and she will handle any juice in the ground. Stamina is definitely her forte and she will appreciate a decent pace here and can again go close. Woodcutter is saddled by John Gosden and was thrashed on his only start so far, in a Newmarket maiden last summer. He was favourite that day and perhaps was not quite right, given that he has been put away since. Any rain would probably be a plus for him and it is likely that this good looking grey colt will be able to produce a much better display. Flam has gone well in a couple of above average maidens and this first attempt at 10 furlongs looks a positive move for her, and the same goes for Sir John Lilley. Shecher Para might even surprise Henry Cecil is he is good enough today, while Hollins needs to improve on his Newcastle second to figure, and French Art can brush them aside here.
Alqaahir (USA) 9-2 (9-0) Dwelt, switched left to race far side, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and stayed on same pace, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Home Affairs (9-0) at Yarmouth 7f 2yo mdn (D3) gd in Sept '04.
Arch 40-1 (9-12) Held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 20l behind Lochiel (9-12) at Hamilton 1m 3f mdn aut stk (6) gs in May.
Firestorm (IRE) 50-1 (8-2) Mid-division, driven over 5f out, lost place 3f out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, 18l behind Hora (8-3) at Newcastle 2m 3yo hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Hollins 8-1 (9-13) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, kept on to take 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Blimey O'Riley (8-10) at Newcastle 1m 4f mdn aut stk (6) gf in May.
Missycomelightly 150-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 13th of 16, 27l behind Bold Choice (8-9) at Nottingham 1m 2f mdn stk (5) sft in Apr.
Doctor Delta 40-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 12th of 15, 25l behind Mangham (9-3) at Ripon 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) gf in May.
Sir John Lilley (USA) 7-4 (9-0) Bumped start, soon mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened final 2f, last of 8, 48l behind Marning Star (9-0) at Musselburgh 1m mdn aut stk (5) gf in May.
Micallef 20-1 (8-10) Started slowly and always towards rear, 9th of 10, 18l behind Lindelaan (8-10) at Beverley 7f mdn stk (5) gf in May.
Wood Chorus 4-6fav (8-5) Led 1f, remained prominent, led again over 2f out, ridden, headed approaching final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Flying Squad (9-13) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn stk (5) fbs in May.
Timewatch 14-1 (8-8) Tracked winner, ridden over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 11, 9l behind Tayarat (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sept.
Ducal Regancy Duke 40-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 11, 21l behind Young Gladiator (9-1) at Southwell 6f mdn aut stk (5) fbs in Apr.
French Art 5-1 (9-0) Led far side pair and overall leader, switched to race in main group and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 16, 9l behind Tazeez (9-12) at Yarmouth 1m mdn stk (5) gd in May.
Woodcutter (IRE) 7-2fav (9-3) Went right start, raced far side, in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 17th of 20, 9l behind Tanweer (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
Faraway Bay Diktat filly, half-sister to winning sprinter Harry Up and miler Go But Go.
Flam 16-1 (9-0) Prominent, driven over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Cruel Sea (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2yo mdn fll (5) gd in Oct.
Shecher Para 22-1 (8-12) Started slowly, always rear, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Secret Dancer (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gd in May.
