held up towards rear, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, headway and led 6th, ridden approaching last, soon headed, weakened flat
mid-division, mistake 1st, headway 6th, ridden in 4th 2 out, weakened approaching last
led and soon clear, headed 5th, soon ridden and weakened
mid-division, ridden 6th, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and outpaced 2 out, stayed on and went 3rd approaching last, kept on flat
towards rear, headway 6th, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, ridden 3 out, one pace
in touch, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, challenged bend after, led approaching last, driven out
chased leader, led 5th to 6th, ridden 2 out, soon weakened
held up rear, ridden and headway after 2 out, stayed on from last
HOT DIAMOND has arguably the best form of those to have raced and gets the vote over Right Stuff, Humble Opinion and Thundering Star. Finally a race of some significance as we see several interesting novices clashing. The selection has some fine form from last season without drinking from the chalice of glory. His second to stablemate Squadron has been irrefutably franked since and with the ground no problem he is taken to get off the mark. Right Stuff has shown ability in two hurdles runs, including when third recently to Michael Flips. Able to win off 71 on the flat he looks sure to make his mark over hurdles sooner rather than later. The two most interesting newcomers are Humble Opinion and Thundering Star. The former was a consistent performer in the 80's on the flat and his trainer does so well with these flat recruits, whilst the latter was only beaten by five lengths in a Group Two in May and is by far the best flat runner in the line-up. For such a powerful unit he must be respected, however will this 17 furlong trip be enough of a test for this strong stayer? At a price Shali San could perform better than recent outings may indicate however in a good race it is Hot Diamond who gets the nomination.
Desert Storm (DEN) 40-1 (10-7) Held up and keen, effort 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 18, 46l behind American Trilogy (11-0) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) sft in Oct.
Hot Diamond 2-1fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, ridden and every chance when hit last, kept on, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Squadron (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Apr.
Humble Opinion 13-2 (9-3) Held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, stayed on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong, won at York 1m 2f hcap (3) gd in May beating Peruvian Prince (8-12) by a hd, 18 ran (Flat).
McEldowney 66-1 (8-13) Held up behind leaders, reminders over 4f, soon beaten, 9th of 11, 26l behind Keenes Day (9-5) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Oct (Flat).
Prince Ducal (FR) 66-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 20l behind Winged d'Argent (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Right Option (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) In touch and fell at the 4th in race won by Johnny Bissett (11-0) at Stratford 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jul, 14 ran.
Right Stuff (FR) 5-6fav (11-0) Pulled hard, mid-division, headway after 5th, hit 3 out, soon chasing winner, no impression 2 out, lost 2nd last, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Micheal Flips (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Santarctique (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 8th of 11, well behind Mahonia (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs.
Thundering Star (SAF) 33-1 (9-2) Behind in touch, ridden and lost touch over 4f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 13l behind Yeats (9-2) at Ascot 2m 4f Gold Cup (1) gf in Jun (Flat).
Forest Lodge (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) In rear, well behind 6th, headway approaching 2 out, never nearer, 7th of 13, 16l behind Melvino (11-5) at Stratford 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Shali San (FR) 25-1 (10-7) Keen, always towards rear, 11th of 15, 29l behind Secret Tune (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gs.
Full Victory (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Prominent, led 4f out, headed inside final 2f, weakened, 6th of 11, 7l behind Sofia's Star (8-11) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct (Flat).
Obrigado (USA) 11-2 (9-7) Towards rear, staying on but no danger when not much room inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 4l behind Royal Straight (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm (6) pol in Sept (Flat).
