Northern Splendour is preferred here over Bull Run and Centaurus. The selection is one of two Godolphin runners here and with Frankie Dettori opting to ride Northern Splendour over Bull Run that looks to be a hint in itself. He was only narrowly beaten at York last time on his return from a break and with a proven ability to handle the ground he should take plenty of beating. Bull Run will also handle the ground and he has won on each of his two starts, but he has been off the racecourse since April 2004 and with this in mind he may just need the run. Centaurus will try and make-all and he has been contesting some decent races so he is another with claims. Hearthstead Wings should prove best of the rest but for the winner we will return to Northern Splendour.
Hearthstead Wings 33-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway 3f out, one pace final 2f, 5th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Peppertree Lane (8-13) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs.
Bull Run (IRE) 13-8fav (8-13) Settled behind leaders, going well to lead well over 2f out, drew well clear entering final furlong, eased, won at Epsom 1m 2f 3yo stk (B) sft in Apr '04 beating Bowstring (8-8) by 15l, 4 ran.
Camrose 16-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 5f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 14, 28l behind Degas Art (8-6) at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stk (1) sft in Sept.
Centaurus 9-2 (8-12) Led, joined 4f out, soon ridden, headed well over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Art Eyes (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in Sept '05.
Come On Jonny (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Made most, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened quickly, 12th of 15, 15l behind Peppertree Lane (8-13) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs.
Northern Splendour (USA) 8-1 (9-2) Soon led, ridden and under pressure over 2f out, headed 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Ofaraby (9-2) at York 1m 2f stk (3) sft.
Orange Touch (GER) 66-1 (9-9) Held up, some headway over 2f out, soon no impression, 8th of 13, 11l behind Counterpunch (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gs.
Zacatecas (GER) 100-1 (9-3) Soon well behind, last of 14, well behind Numero Due (9-8) at Warwick 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Sept.
