led 1f, led again over 7f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
held up, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, driven out
held up, headway over 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
chased leaders, lost place over 4f out, ridden when not much room over 3f out, soon weakened
always behind
prominent and keen, led after 1f until over 7f out, stayed prominent, ridden 4f out, weakened quickly
mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, soon lost place and behind
mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
In an interesting opener, the vote goes to Maraahel, although you can build a case for just about all of his opponents. Solskjaer looked a better horse when returning for the season and looks set to go well, despite the fact that he has to concede a Group 2 penalty to the field. However, Maraahel, already a Group 3 winner, is the highest-rated of these and returned for the season with a decent fifth behind Day Flight in the John Porter Stakes at Newbury. Much as he has seemed better at longer trips than today, he would surely not be being sent here unless his trainer felt he would go well. As such, he gets the vote. Chancellor would hold claims based on his Sandown Group 3 win last season, but he's been disappointing since, and Counsel's Opinion has a bit to prove at this level. Fruhlingsturm's Group efforts last season were fair enough and he will appreciate the cut in the going, while Grand Passion beat Solskjaer by a length at The Curragh at level weights last season. However, that was over a mile but he does stay this trip and has run well on good to soft. Working through the form of Napper Tandy, though, you can build the case for Solskjaer. Naheef did not build on his Listed win last season but, if at his very best, would hold good claims. Privy Seal can also be given chances if at the best of his form of the last 12 months, and St Andrews is upped to Group level for the first time today, although he'll like the give in the going. However, working on the principal that his trainer feels he'll be ok around here, we will side with Maraahel.
Solskjaer (IRE) 10-1 Made all, ridden entering straight, strongly pressed from under 2f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong, won at Leopardstown 1m lst stk hvy in Apr beating Multazem by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Maraahel (IRE) 10-1 In touch, ridden and led approaching 4f out, headed over 1f out, shaken up and not run on, 5th of 13, 8l behind Day Flight at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 gs in Apr.
Chancellor (IRE) 25-1 Tracked leaders until weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 10l behind Weightless at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 gs in Apr.
Counsel's Opinion (IRE) 11-2 Steadied rear, headway mid-track over 2f out, ridden to press leaders over 1f out, not quicken final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind King's Thought at Epsom 1m 2f hcp gs in Apr.
Fruhlingssturm 5-1 Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened rapidly entering final furlong, last of 14, 9l behind Grand Passion at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stk (A1) pol in Nov.
Grand Passion (IRE) 9-1 Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression, 9th of 14, 5l behind Eccentric at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stk (A1) pol in Mar.
Jackie Kiely 14-1 Held up, headway final furlong, never near leaders, 6th of 13, 5l behind Rare Coincidence at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp pol in Apr.
Naheef (IRE) 100-1 Led after 1f, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakening when not much room over well over 2f out, 10th of 11, well behind Haafhd at Newmarket 1m 2f Grp 1 (A1) sft in Oct.
Privy Seal (IRE) 16-1 Led; ridden straight; headed 300m out; soon weakened, last of 10, 16l behind Bianconi at Nad Al Sheba 1m 2f hcp gf in Mar.
St Andrews (IRE) 8-13fav Tracked leader, headway over 2f out, led and edged right over 1f out, drifted left final furlong, headed, no extra close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Jath at Ripon 1m 2f stk hvy in Apr.
