tracked leaders, led over 2f out, drew clear from over 1f out, easily
edged left start, always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, no impression
mid-division, headway 3f out, chased winner final 2f, no impression, kept on
prominent, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out
slowly into stride, always behind
mid-division, headway 3f out, 3rd from over 1f out, stayed on same pace
reared leaving stalls, held up towards rear, went 5th inside final furlong, never involved
CORDOUAN went close over 7f in both outings last year, including here in October. Several winners have come out of the race and the Gosdens' colt is taken to make a winning reappearance. Malhoob was sent off favourite here back in January but finished a well-beaten third while Victorious Night occupied the same finishing position at Kempton on last month’s debut. Shaaher is related to a winner in Australia and is a newcomer to note.
Cordouan (FR) 11-4fav (9-5) Close up, ridden along 2f out, every chance 1f out, kept on strongly, 2nd of 12, shd behind Crossford (9-5) at Newcastle 7f stks (4) pol in Oct.
Fred Bear (IRE) 18-1 (9-2) Settled in mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened, last of 6, 10 1/4l behind Harmony Lil (8-11) at Chester 6f stks (4) gd in Sep.
Mabdaa 28-1 (8-13) In rear, pushed along over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Headingley (9-4) at Redcar 1m stks (5) gf in Apr.
Malhoob (USA) 4-11fav (9-5) Held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on, 3rd of 8, 8 1/4l behind Captain Cooper (9-5) at Newcastle 7f stks (5) pol in Jan.
Mr Luigi 250-1 (9-5) Midfield, outpaced towards rear and ridden halfway, lost touch over 4f out, tailed off over 3f out, last of 7, dist behind Castlebar (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 2f stks (5) pol in Dec.
Shaaher Galileo colt out of Shahad.
Smart Boyo War Command colt out of Luluti.
Victorious Night (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Laos (9-5) at Kempton 1m stks (5) pol in Mar.
Oh So Quiet 25-1 (8-9) Awkward and steadied start, headway and ran green over 1f out, went 4th entering final furlong, never on terms, 4th of 8, 13 1/4l behind Sherbet Lemon (8-9) at Newcastle 1m fll stks (5) pol in Feb.