slowly away, ran greenly in rear, headway over 1f out, pushed along and ran on inside final furlong
took keen hold, in mid-division, ridden and no real impression final 2f
prominent, led 7f out to over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
close up, ridden to challenge over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, ran on well
tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway and ran greenly 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
led to 7f out, stayed close up, on left bend over 5f out, hung left under pressure and no impression on leaders final 2f
chased leaders, driven to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
chased leaders over 7f
always behind, ridden along halfway and soon struggling
Russian Epic gets a very tentative vote over a whole host of equally promising sorts such as Ancient Culture, Gone Gold and Master Halling. All those mentioned set foot on the racecourse for the first time, while Castara Bay lines up as by far the most experienced. However, he had plenty of chances last year, and is already therefore fully exposed compared to most of the others. With Michael Jarvis in good form ahead of the big Newmarket meeting, hopes are high that Russian Epic can put down a marker based on his recent homework. The son of Diktat holds no fancy entries at present, but that could all change if he does the business first time. Ancient Culture is bred in the purple, and this full brother to Beat Hollow has also been reportedly working well, so will be a popular choice with punters no doubt, while American-bred Gone Gold holds three Group 1 entries including the Vodafone Derby, so is obviously highly thought of. Master Halling has plenty of stamina in his make-up and should be placed to land a middle-distance maiden at least, but on this occasion the pin comes down on Russian Epic, with his stable in form.
A Little More (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, pushed along 4f out, stayed on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 11, 5l behind Fort Amhurst (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Ancient Culture Sadler's Wells colt, brother to the top-class middle-distance winner Beat Hollow.
Buckthorn 100-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 16l behind Arabian Gulf (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gf.
Castara Bay 11-2 (8-11) Behind, headway over 1f out, soon chasing winner, kept on well, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Montalembert (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f 2yo stk (3) pol in Nov.
Dansant Dansili colt out of 1m2f & 1m4f winner La Balagna.
Gone Gold (USA) Seeking The Gold colt, brother to US winner Necropolis, half-brother to top-class 1m-1m4f winner Ciro.
Marquee (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Led over 4f, 11th of 13, 22l behind Mount Hadley (9-0) at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Master Halling Halling colt out of 1m4f winner Red Empress.
Russian Epic Diktat colt out of 7f & 1m winner Russian Rhapsody.
Secret Tune Generous colt out of 1m1f winner Sing For Fame.
Becharm 16-1 (8-12) Led early, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 21l behind Players Please (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Jan.
Shine Like A Star Fantastic Light filly out of 7f & 1m winner Fallen Star.
Pathos (GER) Danehill Dancer colt out of a moderate racemare.
