went right start, raced on rail chasing leader, led inside final 2f, strongly pressed and hung right final 100 yards, headed post
slightly hampered start, soon chasing leaders on rail, pushed along halfway, soon ridden and weakened
slowly into stride, soon in touch on outside, weakened halfway
badly hampered start, behind and no chance after
held up and behind, headway and switched right over 1f out, ran on, never nearer
held up, headway when not clearest of runs and switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd 100 yards out, led on line
raced keenly, chased clear leading pair, closed and went 2nd over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, weakened towards finish
led, pushed along halfway, headed inside final 2f, weakened final furlong
Paul Midgley saddles half of the eight runners here, all returning from breaks. TARBOOSH was conceding 3lb to stable companion Captain Colby when beaten half-a-length over the course and distance in October before beating a big field of handicappers at Doncaster. They look better than stable companions Merry Banter and Tanasoq at this stage though the latter will enjoy the quicker ground more than most. El Astronaute was never out of the first four in a dozen starts last year, winning three times including a Listed contest in France in October. He improved 11lb in the ratings last year and is an obvious threat. Merhoob has a fitness advantage having been in fine form on the all-weather though he's never been as convincing on Turf.
El Astronaute (IRE) (8-12) won at Maisons-Laffitte 5f lst stks in Oct beating King Malpic (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Captain Colby (USA) 7-2fav (9-5) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 14, nk behind Foolaad (9-2) at Catterick 5f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Longroom 50-1 (8-11) Towards rear, well beaten over 2f out, last of 18, 25 3/4l behind Copper Knight (9-5) at York 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Merhoob (IRE) 10-3 (9-11) Dwelt in rear, plenty to do over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Gold Filigree (9-1) at Lingfield 5f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Royal Brave (IRE) 66-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, carried left over 1f out, no impression when not much room entering final furlong, 11th of 14, 6 1/2l behind Glenamoy Lad (9-3) at Newcastle 6f hcp (2) pol in Oct.
Tanasoq (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Raced keenly, chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 6th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Encore d'Or (9-7) at Leicester 5f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Tarboosh 8-1jfav (9-10) Raced stand side, close up, led this group over 1f out, led overall inside final furlong, hung left and ran on, won at Doncaster 5f hcp (2) gs in Oct beating Erissimus Maximus (8-6) by 1l, 22 ran.
Merry Banter 16-1 (9-6) Made all towards far side rail, shaken up inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely inside final furlong, hard pressed towards finish, all out, won at Redcar 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Bashiba (8-13) by nk, 12 ran.
