held up behind division, ridden and struggling over 2f out, soon lost place, never dangerous
mid-division, headway and effort approaching final furlong, kept on one pace and lost 3rd inside final furlong
behind, driven over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, no room on rail and slightly hampered over 2f out, headway over 1f out on inside, took 3rd inside final furlong, not trouble leading pair
chased leaders, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on well under pressure, driven out
chased leader, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed entering final furlong, kept pressing winner to line
plunged start, soon led, hanging right and wide from 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
A good race that would happily grace a televised Saturday card and MUTHEEB is the call at the principal expense of Strike The Deal and Matsunosuke. The Godolphin runner has clearly needed kid gloves treatment but he beat Mia's Boy a shade cleverly last time out and in the style of a horse who could make his way in pattern company and this should prove a likely stepping stone. Strike The Deal has been fancied for a number of early season prizes and the excuses are starting to run out. He held every chance in a recent York sprint before flattering to deceive again. On the positive however, the winner has gone on to take a decent prize in Ireland since. Matsunosuke has been a credit to connections and while beaten on turf, he has a distinct aptitude for this track. Tamagin invariably looks unlucky but front running holds little appeal here. Valery Borzov would need to reverse Newcastle form with him in order to win this. Eisteddfod's form has been patchy throughout his career but his victory at Kempton was a taking sight. The official figures suggest Nota Bene and Diriculous could be up against it in this company. Mutheeb is our pick in a race of distinct quality.
Matsunosuke 40-1 (8-13) Dwelt, always in rear, 12th of 16, 9l behind Amour Propre (8-7) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Nota Bene 7-2fav (9-0) Mid-division on rail; keen; every chance when not much room 300m out; ran on, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Beaver Patrol (9-0) at Nad Al Sheba(UAE) 6f cond Stakes gd in Feb.
Diriculous 16-1 (9-7) Chased leaders to halfway, last of 16, well behind Valery Borzov (9-4) at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) sft.
Mutheeb (USA) 9-4 (9-4) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, rallied and ran on to lead closing stages, won at Yarmouth 7f cond Stakes (4) gf in Apr beating Mia's Boy (9-4) by hd, 5 ran.
Strike The Deal (USA) 13-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Utmost Respect (9-7) at York 6f stks (1) gf.
Tamagin (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 2f out, soon outpaced, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 11l behind Royal Rock (9-0) at Haydock 6f cond Stakes (2) gd.
Valery Borzov (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Made all, clear halfway, ridden out final furlong, won at York 6f hcp 0-105 (2) sft beating Harrison George (8-11) by 2 3/4l, 16 ran.
Eisteddfod 9-4 (9-5) Held up 3rd, plenty to do 2f out, ran on to take 2nd over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Buachaill Dona (9-0) at Kempton 6f cnd stks (4yo+) (4) pol in Apr.
