led, ridden to quicken 2f out, headed final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, soon led, kept on inside final furlong, pushed out
always well behind, never a factor
tracked leader, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed final furlong, not quickened
Heretic and Salcombe have both shown a reasonable level of form but the vote goes to Al Jadeed, who is well treated by the conditions of the race and is expected to be fit enough to make a winning return. The selection has not been seen since finishing 10th of 18 (beaten eight lengths) behind Tout Seul in the Dewhurst Stakes last October but had previously looked a good winner of the Royal Lodge Stakes at Ascot. John Gosden knows how to ready a horse for his first outing and, with the weights favouring the son of Coronado's Quest he gets the vote. Heretic showed enough behind Desert Deer on his reappearance to suggest that he would not be without a chance in this company but would probably prefer a softer surface, so a bigger threat may come from Salcombe. The Barry Hills-trained colt has yet to prove that he stays a mile though and, with Blazing Moment no more than moderate, Al Jadeed gets the verdict.
