off the pace in last pair, never on terms
tracked leaders near side of group, ridden and unable to quicken inside final 2f. joined for well held 3rd post
chased winner throughout, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
steadied rear, carried head awkwardly, headway under pressure edging left over 1f out, straightened and ran on inside final furlong, kept on for share of 3rd post
wore hood to post, raced keenly, tracked leaders far side of group, ridden and unable to quicken inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon recovered in touch withe leaders, ridden inside final 2f, soon weakened
made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on strongly, unchallenged
NonRunner
Last year’s Gimcrack winner NOBLE STYLE finished a respectable sixth in the 2000 Guineas but this faster ground and return to 6f will suit the Godolphin colt, who is rated 7lb higher than Aesop's Fables. The latter is a Group 2 winner and will be sharper for last month’s comeback at Navan when conceding 10lb to the winner. Rumstar landed the Cornwallis at Newmarket in October while Shaquille returns to Pattern company having won a handicap at Headquarters a fortnight ago. Rabaah defied a penalty on the all-weather in February and looks worth a try at this level.
Rumstar 8-1 (9-3) In touch, wide and headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Oct beating Maylandsea (9-0) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Aesop's Fables (IRE) 7-2 (9-10) Prominent and disputed lead, led narrowly halfway, pushed along and headed 1 1/2f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Ocean Quest (9-0) at Navan 6f lst stks (1) hvy in Apr.
Desert Cop 15-2 (9-3) Bumped start, handy, pushed along well over 1f out, gradually weakened, 7th of 9, 12 1/2l behind Cold Case (9-3) at Ascot 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in May.
Noble Style 10-1 (9-2) Keen in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 14, 5 1/4l behind Chaldean (9-2) at Newmarket 1m Grp 1 stks (1) sft in May.
Rabaah (IRE) 5-6fav (9-8) Wore hood to post, travelled strongly, made all, pushed along and came clear over 1f out, unchallenged, won at Wolverhampton 6f stks (4) pol in Feb beating My Turn Now (8-10) by 4 3/4l, 6 ran.
Rousing Encore (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Mid-division, pushed along 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Cold Case (9-3) at Ascot 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in May.
Shaquille 11-4 (9-6) Took keen hold stand side, tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, won at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) sft in May beating Washington Heights (9-0) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Lady Hamana (AUS) 10-1 (9-2) Close up, pushed along 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 3 1/4l behind Believing (9-2) at Chelmsford City 6f lst fll stks (1) pol in Apr.
