led, ridden over 2f out, headed entering final 2f, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression in 4th final furlong
tracked leader, driven and lost place over 2f out, soon beaten, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, headway to lead inside final 2f, soon ridden and edged left, headed narrowly over 1f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, just held
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, ridden and one pace inside final 2f, gradually weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders to over 3f out, soon behind and ridden, no danger after
tracked leaders, not clear run 2f out, switched left towards stands side rail and headway over 1f out, chased front pair when switched right inside final furlong, soon ridden, kept on, no impression
slowly into stride, held up in touch in rear, headway over 2f out, soon challenged, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, edged left, stayed on, just held on
This year’s renewal sees the return of BARNEY ROY. Gelded and returned to training after proving infertile at stud, Charlie Appleby’s new charge won the St James’s Palace Stakes for the Hannon yard here in 2017 and should have the measure of these if retaining his ability. Jim Crowley prefers the chances of Listed winner Wadilsafa to those of Tabarrak despite the latter winning this in 2017 while the selection’s stablemate First Contact, Robin Of Navan and Circus Couture were all well beaten behind the Roger Varian-trained Zabeel Prince at Newmarket recently and the latter runs unbeaten novice Canvassed in this. Zaaki came up short in Group 3 races last year and was gelded at the end of the season.
First Contact (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Prominent in centre, led 6f out, edged right to far side 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 6 1/4l behind Zabeel Prince (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Apr.
Tabarrak (IRE) 2-1fav (9-3) Pressed leader, driven to lead narrowly inside final 2f, ridden and edged left over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, just held on, won at Redcar 7f lst stks (1) gd in Oct beating Emmaus (9-3) by ns, 11 ran.
Wadilsafa 4-6fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on, won at Sandown 1m lst stks (1) gd in Sep beating Hathal (9-4) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Barney Roy 9-2 (9-1) Held up towards rear, ridden and no response 2f out, never involved, 9th of 10, 16 3/4l behind Cracksman (9-1) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Canvassed (IRE) 8-13fav (9-9) Tracked leader until halfway, handy 3rd, 2nd again travelling over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon pushed along and quickened clear, impressive, won at Kempton 1m stks (5) pol in Apr beating Just Brilliant (9-9) by 7l, 7 ran.
Circus Couture (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear far side, never troubled leaders, 8th of 10, 9 3/4l behind Zabeel Prince (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Apr.
Robin Of Navan (FR) 33-1 (9-0) Led for 1f, settled tracking leader on far rail until over 7f out, remained handy, led again over 1f out, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 7 1/4l behind Zabeel Prince (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Apr.
Zaaki 7-2 (8-12) Started very slowly and bit reluctant, last pair, never a factor and always behind, 7th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Lord Glitters (9-5) at York 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Aug.
