keen, held up in rear, pushed along and headway approaching final furlong, kept on, never nearer
dwelt, soon mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
in touch, ridden over 1f out, carried head awkwardly and veered left entering final furlong, driven and hung right towards finish, not look resolute
mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, in rear, switched right over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
with winner, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
in touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, soon every chance, unable to quicken towards finish
held up mid-division, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on, nearest finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
A number of the runners can quickly be dispensed with but there's still a good handful to consider. INFIRAAD is the one that we think will take the beating but Espiritu, Invisible Man and Pedasus are sure to have their supporters. The last named may hail from a small yard but he showed plenty of promise on debut and was well supported at Kempton last time; he blotted his copybook on that occasion but may yet be able to fulfil their hopes. It's stretching a point to think that he can win this contest though as the main protagonists can be expected to prove well above average. Infiraad ran a race full of promise when third behind a subsequent Group 3 winner and a stablemate who landed the odds impressively on his seasonal return. He should take the beating with his yard going well. Espiritu showed plenty of promise in his two starts at two and should be better suited by the faster ground that is forecast here than the soft ground he met at Doncaster when fourth behind Kite Wood. Invisible Man was sent off at odds off 1-3 on debut but the effort was promising enough if his starting price is ignored. He'd clearly been showing up well at home and may yet prove to be a force to be reckoned with. There are a couple of interesting newcomers to note as one would expect but Infiraad is fancied to confirm his debut promise.
Brother Cha (IRE) Indian Ridge colt out of Sun On The Sea.
Conclusive 20-1 (8-12) Started slowly, always behind and struggling final 2f, 8th of 13, 9l behind Crown Choice (9-12) at Kempton 7f mdn stks (5) pol.
Espiritu (FR) 7-2 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Kite Wood (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 2yo mdn (4) sft in Sep.
Esteem Lord 5-1 (8-8) Disputed 2nd place, definite 2nd 3f out, ridden over 1f out, well held final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Sanvean (8-3) at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Euston Square 3-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 4l behind Albaher (9-0) at Ascot 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul.
Formula (USA) 2-5fav (9-3) Soon led, ridden clear over 1f out, fading and headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Premier Banker (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Hilbre Point (USA) 7-1 (9-0) Started very slowly, held up towards rear, raced keenly, never a factor, 10th of 14, 11l behind Captain Dancer (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Indian Violet (IRE) Indian Ridge gelding out of Violet Spring.
Infiraad 11-1 (9-3) Dwelt, held up, headway halfway, chased winner 2f out, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Evasive (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Oct.
Invincible Heart (GR) 4-5fav (9-0) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 1f out, one paced, 3rd of 4, 4l behind Global (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo stks (3) pol in Nov.
Invisible Man 1-3fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Emirates Champion (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Just Mustard (USA) 16-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 7l behind Legislate (8-10) at Lingfield 1m mdn stks (4) pol in Mar.
Nicholas Pocock (IRE) King's Best gelding out of Sea Picture.
Pedasus (USA) 11-4 (9-3) Took keen hold early, soon driven along in mid-division, weakened under pressure over 2f out, 11th of 14, 10l behind Seek N' Destroy (9-3) at Kempton 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Cake Stand 33-1 (9-3) Keen early, held up, never dangerous, last of 13, 21l behind Evasive (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Oct.
Secret Witness Pivotal colt out of It's A Secret.
