mid-division, soon pushed along, in rear after 3f, tailed off from halfway
mid-division, headway halfway, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f
led, cleared 2f out, ridden over 1f out, caught last stride
held up in rear, hampered over 4f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on
pulled hard, prominent, went 2nd after 2f until over 4f out, weakened 3f out
held up in rear, hampered over 4f out, soon ridden, some headway inside final 2f, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway 5f out, weakened over 2f out
raced keenly, prominent, switched left over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up in rear, headway on outside halfway, weakening when slipped on bend over 4f out
in rear, in mid-division when hampered over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
chased leader 2f, in touch, lost place over 4f out, headway 2f out, ran on well inside final furlong to lead last stride
In a tricky finale, Dalmation is selected ahead of Desert Vision, Flying Squad and Patriot. Running through these and Coco L'Escargot has interesting breeding, being by Slip Anchor out of a Nashwan mare, while Dalmatian is by Mtoto out of a Mr Prospector mare and is related to Flat winners. Money for him would be interesting. Darasun cost 33,000 euros as a yearling, while Desert Vision showed plenty of promise when fourth on his Kelso bumper debut. Flying Squad also showed promise on his debut at Exeter, where Orange Zeus was just behind him, while Lord Generous cost 43,000 guineas as a yearling. A brother to the useful Alberto Giacommeti, but who was cheaply acquired, Patriot has to be given serious thought, while Slivovic is related to some Flat winners. Finally, Ready To Crown's value declined markedly between being a yearling and then two-years old, and Tuxedo Bay also has something to like on breeding. The betting could well provide is with valuable clues as to the outcome of this contest but, without that, Dalmatian.
Dalmatian Mtoto gelding, half-brother to numerous winners from 6f-1m1f and over hurdles.
Darasun (IRE) Desert Sun colt, related to numerous winners from 1m4f-2m2f and over hurdles including useful stayer Far Cry.
Desert Vision 15-2 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, 4th of 10, 6l behind Autumn Harvest (10-12) at Kelso 2m nhf (5) gd in Oct.
Flying Squad (UAE) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace final furlong, 5th of 15, 7l behind Yonder (10-5) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) gf in Oct.
Lord Generous Generous gelding, half-brother to 1m2f winner Light Of Hope and 7f-1m winner Embros.
Orange Zeus 14-1 (10-5) Pulled hard in mid-division, soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 15, 8l behind Yonder (10-5) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) gf in Oct.
Patriot (IRE) Sadler's Wells colt, brother to high-class 7f-1m2f winner Alberto Giacometti.
Stratn Jack 33-1 (10-5) Held up, good headway on outside 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 16l behind Yonder (10-5) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) gf in Oct.
Tuxedo Bay Muhtarram gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Auberge (IRE) Blueprint filly out of a lightly-raced mare.
Coco L'Escargot Slip Anchor filly out of 1m4f winner Dafne.
Ready To Crown (USA) More Than Ready filly, half-sister to winning miler Sudden Glory and sprinter Ton a Run.
Slivovic (IRE) Fruits Of Love filly, half-sister to 6f-1m4f winner Simply The Guest and 7f winner Brandywine Bay.