chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
chased leader, led over 1f out, soon clear, edged left and ran on
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden and one pace final 2f
slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
dwelt, soon tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
There is not much to go on here but we will side with Recruit ahead of Yerevan and Prince Of Elegance. Prince Of Elegance cost 45,000 guineas and this son of Cape Cross has to get a mention. Recruit hails from the in-form Richard Hannon stable and, having cost 32,000 guineas, has to be mentioned also. We'll Confer's narrow defeat on his Thirsk debut marked him down as a likely winner of this type of event, so he is respected, while Zeuww is a 30,000 guineas son of Xaar who has something to like on breeding. Benllech finished second to Captain Marvelous at Chester and was then fifth in a reasonable event at Salisbury last time, so is not out of it, while Whiskey Junction caught the eye staying on late at Kempton on his debut and the runner-up has won since to frank the form. Hythe Bay's debut fourth on fast ground has a solid enough look to it in the context of this race, as does Yerevan's fifth (of, admittedly, six runners) in what may have been a fair contest at Newbury on her debut. It all adds up to an interesting race of its kind, one in which the betting should be watched with interest but in which, ahead of that, the vote goes to Recruit.
Prince of Elegance Cape Cross colt out of 6f winner Elegant Lady.
Recruit Mujahid colt out of an unraced mare.
We'll Confer 9-4fav (8-12) In touch, driven 2f out, ran on final furlong, edged left inside final furlong, held, 2nd of 7, shd behind Eloquent Rose (8-11) at Thirsk 5f nov stk (3) frm.
Cavallo di Ferro (IRE) Iron Mask gelding, half-brother to 1m2f winner Maxilla and winning hurdler Avesomeofthat.
Whiskey Junction 10-1 (9-0) Mid-division, effort and headway 2f out, chased leading pair 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Juan Bol (9-3) at Kempton 5f 2yo mdn aut (7) pol.
Hythe Bay 50-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, shaken up and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Karayel (8-13) at Folkestone 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf.
Benllech 4-1jt-fav (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 2l behind Strategic Prince (9-3) at Salisbury 5f 2yo mdn (4) gs.
Yerevan 25-1 (8-0) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, outpaced inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 1 1/2l behind Sunley Gift (8-5) at Newbury 5f 2yo fll (3) gd.
