held up, ridden along over 3f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, switched right over 3f out, headway over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch, effort over 3f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride and towards rear, ridden along and headway over 2f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong
prominent, driven over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
steadied at start, held up in rear, headway on inner 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up behind leaders, headway over 3f out to lead well over 2f out, driven and kept on under pressure final furlong
led, headed well over 2f and remained in touch, driven over 1f out, kept on gamely
towards rear, effort over 3f out, no impression
Ian Williams has his string in good form and FAIRMILE can provide him with another winner; the list of dangers is headed by Carte Diamond and Young Mick. The selection does have an absence to overcome but he was in good form when last seen out and if he can pick up where he left off last season then he would prove hard to beat. Carte Diamond is a course and distance winner and the ground was a valid explanation for his below-par effort on his most recent outing so he could fare better today. Young Mick is fit from a winter campaign in Dubai and he ended a long losing sequence on the turf when he posted a victory at Leicester back in October. He might be capable of making the frame here along with Tastahil who hails from a yard in form. There is plenty to recommend Fairmile who is put forward as the pick.
Hindu Kush (IRE) (9-2) 5th of 8, 10l behind Watar (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Young Mick 20-1 (9-0) 12th of 16, 10l behind Front House (8-9) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 4f Grp 2 (1).
Carte Diamond (USA) 33-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 10th of 21, 18l behind Tropical Strait (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcap (2) sft in Nov.
Fairmile 1-2fav (9-0) Held up in touch, shaken up 3f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Hala Bek (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f stk (3) gs in Jul.
Furmigadelagiusta 20-1 (9-3) Behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 19, 3l behind Sugar Ray (9-0) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Lost Soldier Three (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, headway in every chance over 1f out, weakened in final furlong, 4th of 7, 5l behind Merchant of Dubai (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct.
Tastahil (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden along 3f out, hampered over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 21, 2 1/2l behind Tropical Strait (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcap (2) sft in Nov.
Drill Sergeant 33-1 (8-7) 10th of 12, well behind Veracity (9-2) at Nad Al Sheba 2m Cond Stakes gf in Feb.
Valmari (IRE) Kalanisi mare out of Penza.
Dunaskin (IRE) 40-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, led 3f, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 21, 4 1/2l behind Tropical Strait (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcap (2) sft in Nov.