made all, ridden out
tracked leaders 2f, close up, pushed along 3f out, edged right and headway to chase winner approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish
tracked winner, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
dwelt in rear, pushed along 3f out, never a factor
in touch, headway 5f out, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, effort 2f out, faded inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Defoe made the most of favourable terms to win this last year with Red Verdon well beaten in third. But this looks a tougher renewal with Young Rascal and CORONET (NAP) in contention. The former won three times in Group 3 company last season and may go on to even better things this year but fast ground is a worry for him and John Gosden’s mare is preferred. The latter was placed at the highest level on four occasions last term, culminating in a second on Champions Day at Ascot in October, and made a winning reappearance last year in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes on fast going at York. The remainder have a bit to find on these terms though should be winning later in the year.
Communique (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Led until over 2f out, weakened soon after, 7th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Marmelo (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Apr.
Defoe (IRE) 9-4 (9-0) Raced wide tracking leaders, 2nd 8f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra in 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 4l behind Marmelo (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Apr.
Mildenberger 10-3fav (9-9) Stumbled start and slow into stride, towards rear, pushed along and ran on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Mountain Angel (8-12) at Epsom 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Red Verdon (USA) 5-2 (9-5) Keen close up, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Doncaster 1m 4f stks (2) gd in Mar beating Indianapolis (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Young Rascal (FR) 13-8fav (9-3) Held up in last trio, headway on outside tracking leaders over 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Marmelo (9-0) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Apr.
Coronet 6-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 2f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Magical (8-13) at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 fll stks (1) sft in Oct.
Maid Up 20-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, driven over 3f out, soon outpaced, ridden 2f out, never able to challenge, 9th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Kew Gardens (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 7f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
