awkward start, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
always in rear, struggling from 3f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, effort over 2f out, ridden and weakened approaching final furlong
held up, steady headway from 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, ran on, not quicken near finish
prominent, led halfway, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on
always in rear, struggling from 3f out
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
took keen hold, headway to go prominent after 2f, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always prominent, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong
led until halfway, weakened 2f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway from 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
in touch, effort over 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
in rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor
mid-division, effort over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
ST NICHOLAS ABBEY isn't much of a price but he fully deserves his position at the head of the market and is hard to oppose. Elusive Pimpernel is entitled to his position in the market too but of more appeal at the prices as alternatives to the favourite are Fencing Master and Al Zir. St Nicholas Abbey will have to prove that he can cope with the undulations of the track and there will be many who'll point to his pedigree and question the suitability of the trip and those are valid points but he displayed an impressive turn of foot when winning the Racing Post Trophy and looked out of the ordinary. Elusive Pimpernel ran well in second that day and proved that he'd trained on with a smooth success last month without doing enough to suggest that he's progressed sufficiently to trouble St Nicholas Abbey. Al Zir was third home at Doncaster and looks attractively priced given that he doesn't have that much to find with the second and he can make his presence felt. Awzaan has displayed a smart turn of foot over six and could be a player if able to employ the same change of pace over two furlongs further but of more appeal as an each-way alternative is Fencing Master who belied his inexperience to run a big race in the Dewhurst. There should be plenty of pace on here even allowing for the fact that Canford Cliffs may be ridden with more restraint and that should help bring St Nicholas Abbey's stamina into play and may help to ensure an easier passage as Johnny Murtagh attempts to weave his way through the field.
Al Zir (USA) 9-2 (9-0) Raced keenly in touch, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 11, 6l behind St Nicholas Abbey (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2yo Grp1 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Audacity Of Hope 7-2 (9-3) Tracked leading pair, ridden to dispute 2nd 2f out, no impression on front pair inside final furlong, lost 3rd last strides, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Red Jazz (9-6) at Newmarket 7f listed hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Awzaan 4-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, led and hung left from over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Oct beating Radiohead (8-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Buzzword 12-1 (8-10) Bobbled, wide rally, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Pounced (8-10) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2yo Grp 2 stks (1) fm in Nov.
Canford Cliffs (IRE) 10-11fav (9-0) Led, shaken up and edged left over 1f out, soon ridden and hung left, headed near finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Dick Turpin (9-0) at Newbury 7f stks G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Dick Turpin (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong to lead near finish, won at Newbury 7f stks G3 (1) gd in Apr beating Canford Cliffs (9-0) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Elspeth's Boy (USA) 33-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, soon led, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov beating Music Maestro (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Elusive Pimpernel (USA) 10-11fav (8-12) Intouch, pushed along over 2f out, led well over 1f out, ridden and soon quickened clear, impressive, won at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr beating Dancing David (8-12) by 4l, 9 ran.
Fair Trade 15-8fav (9-3) Held up in touch, shaken up over 2f out, quickened to lead 1f out, idled towards finish, driven out, won at Newbury 1m 3yo mdn (4) gd in Apr beating Colour Scheme (9-3) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Fencing Master 20-1 (9-1) Towards rear, pushed along 4f out, ridden and headway on outer 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 15, nk behind Beethoven (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Greyfriarschorista 15-8fav (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 1f out, caught post, 2nd of 13, ns behind Classic Colori (9-1) at Lingfield 7f Listed Stakes (3yo) (1) pol in Mar.
Hearts of Fire 12-5 (8-11) Held up, headway 2f out to lead final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at San Siro(ITY) 1m 2yo Grp 1 sft in Oct beating Vale Of York (8-11) by nk, 11 ran.
Inler (IRE) Evensfav (9-3) Made most, shaken up over 1f out, ran green inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct beating Chaussini (8-12) by 4l, 10 ran.
Lord Zenith 5-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge well over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, hung right under pressure, all out, won at Lingfield 1m Listed Stakes (3yo) (1) pol in Apr beating Zaahy (9-0) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Makfi (9-2) won at Maisons-Laffitte(FR) 7f stk gs in Apr beating Too Nice Name (9-2) by 3l, 8 ran.
Red Jazz (USA) 11-2 (9-6) Made all, pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well and in command towards finish, won at Newmarket 7f listed hcp (1) gd in Apr beating Quadrille (9-1) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
St Nicholas Abbey (IRE) 13-8fav (9-0) Held up in rear, smooth headway 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, ran on strongly, impressive, won at Doncaster 1m 2yo Grp1 stks (1) gs in Oct beating Elusive Pimpernel (9-0) by 4l, 11 ran.
Viscount Nelson (USA) 7-1 (9-0) Disputed early, soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, kept on in 3rd 1f out, stayed on to 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Noll Wallop (9-0) at Leopardstown 1m 3yo Grp 3 in Mar.
Xtension (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Hampered start, towards rear, ridden and headway on outer from 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, led well inside final furlong, headed and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 15, 1/2l behind Beethoven (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
