pressed leader, led inside final mile, ridden and headed over 1f out, no chance with winner when lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra in 3rd
went left start, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 7f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear, easily
led until inside final mile, lost 2nd 7f out, chased leading pair until inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out
bumped start, held up in last pair, good headway on inside 2f out, went 3rd inside final 2f, hung right from over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner
held up in last pair, outpaced and struggling in last over 2f out, never a factor
GLOBAL GIANT never figured in last month’s Saudi Cup but should find life easier in this. A Listed winner over today’s trip at Newbury last summer, he looks the one to beat. Faylaq hasn’t raced since finishing behind the selection at Newbury and has been gelded subsequently. A tongue-tie is applied to both the Haggas charge and Stormy Antarctic today and the latter has also undergone wind surgery having failed to win last year. Sky Defender ran poorly in a handicap on his reappearance and War Leader has little chance on these terms, though is guaranteed prize money.
Faylaq 5-1 (9-6) Steadied start, held up last, ridden over 1f out, some late headway, never near to challenge, 6th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Global Giant (9-6) at Newbury 1m 2f lst stks (1) gd in Jul.
Global Giant 18-1 (9-0) 12th of 14, 25 3/4l behind Mishriff (9-0) at Riyadh 1m 1f gd in Feb.
Sky Defender 9-2 (9-7) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 14 1/2l behind Assimilation (9-1) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Stormy Antarctic 13-2 (9-2) Held up in ear, hung badly right and raced awkwardly from hallway, never a factor, last of 8, 13 3/4l behind Zakouski (9-2) at Newmarket 1m lst stks (1) hvy in Oct.
War Leader (USA) 8-1 (8-10) Raced wide in touch, pushed along and headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 7 1/2l behind High Commissioner (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
