tracked leader, pushed along to lead over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear, switched right and effort over 3f out, no impression
steadied start, soon prominent, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong
led, pushed along and headed over 2f out, soon beaten
held up, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
never better than mid-division
prominent, pushed long over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up, steady headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden and stayed on same pace final furlong
Gateman and Suggestive represent the older brigade against eight four-year-olds and both have to be respected but preference is for Makhlab, who is taken to continue making up for lost time. The son of Dixieland Band had some useful form as a juvenile but having finished midfield in the Irish 2,000 Guineas missed most of last season until landing a conditions race at Ayr on his first start since racing at The Curragh. Gateman has been running on the dirt in Dubai this winter but has not been performing to his best and a bigger threat may come from Suggestive. The William Haggas-trained gelding will be well served by the conditions and trip so has to be respected, if fully wound up. John Dunlop, who has won this with Dandoun in the last two years, relies upon Excelsius, the mount of Kevin Darley, today. He is worthy of a mention along with Lago d'Orta, who showed progressive form last term, Clive Brittain's Lundy's Lane, the racefit Rockets 'n Rollers and Sir Michael Stoute's Sublimity. However, Makhlab looks open to further improvement and gets the nod in a competitive renewal.
