settled behind leaders, ridden in 5th 2f out, no impression 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden and no extra halfway, weakened 2f out
soon narrow lead, joined and disputed halfway, ridden 2f out, headed 1 1/2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, not clear run and switched right 1 1/2f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, close 3rd 2f out, soon ridden, no extra 1f out
prominent, disputed travelling well halfway, pushed along to lead 1 1/2f out, quickened clear inside final furlong, impressive
dwelt slightly and towards rear, ridden and no impression 1 1/2f out
held up, ridden to progress 1 1/2f out, stayed on into 3rd 1f out, kept on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
prominent, disputed early, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders towards outer, ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace
held up towards outer, ridden and no impression 2f out, kept on one pace
Sergei Prokofiev reappeared to win this in March last year before tackling Group company. He's more at home at this level and fitness won't be an issue. FOREVER IN DREAMS, a dual winner in France, has contested Group 1 events in his last four starts and twice been narrowly beaten at Ascot. That's the best form on view and if he's ready after a break he will take some beating. Sceptical has looked a superb prospect in his last three starts at Dundalk and deserves a crack at this level though his rider will be unable to use his claim, as he did last time. Buffer Zone won a couple of top handicaps at the Curragh last summer and wasn't at his best in the Ayr Gold Cup last time but Gustavus Weston will do well to defy a penalty for his Group 3 victory at the Curragh.
Gustavus Weston (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Soon prominent, on terms before halfway, headed over 1 1/2f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 5l behind Speak In Colours (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Sep.
All The King's Men (IRE) 13-2 (10-1) Disputed lead, led at halfway, ridden clear 1f out, reduced advantage inside final furlong, stayed on well close home, won at Navan 6f hcp Yielding in Oct beating Silver Service (9-3) by 1 3/4l, 16 ran.
Buffer Zone 10-3fav (9-4) Chased leaders stands side, ridden 2f out, never going pace to challenge, weakened inside final furlong, 17th of 24, 6 3/4l behind Angel Alexander (8-13) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Chessman (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Waited with, in touch in rear, headway and switched left over 2f out, went 3rd from 1f out, kept on without troubling front pair inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Speak In Colours (9-5) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Sep.
No Needs Never (IRE) 15-8 (9-5) Chased leaders, 2nd after 2f, ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression on winner 1f out, disputed 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd at line, 3rd of 6, 4 1/4l behind San Andreas (9-8) at Dundalk 7f pol in Feb.
Sceptical 7-4fav (10-4) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, smooth headway on inner to lead 1 1/2f out, pushed along and stretched clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Dundalk 5f hcp pol in Mar beating Red Cymbal (8-4) by 6 1/2l, 9 ran.
Sergei Prokofiev (CAN) 5-2fav (8-12) Slowly into stride, off the pace towards rear on rail, headway chasing leaders 3f out, hanging right when switched left over 1f out, hung right and kept on towards finish, not pace to threaten, 6th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Kurious (8-9) at Sandown 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Jul.
Southern Horse (ARG) 7-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, soon 4th, pushed along over 2f out, soon on terms, headed inside final furlong and no extra, 7th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Gustavus Weston (9-3) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Aug.
Forever In Dreams (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Mid-division, switched left over 2f out, soon closed, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 3rd of 17, 1 1/4l behind Donjuan Triumphant (9-2) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 stks (1) hvy in Oct.
Rapid Reaction (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Mid-division, pushed along 2f out, soon ridden and no impression over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 11th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Dr Simpson (8-4) at Dundalk 5f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Oct.
Woody Creek 18-5 (7-12) Off slw,3-4w,gamely, 5th of 9, 1 3/4l behind City Boy (8-7) at Woodbine 6f stks fm in Oct.
