in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
pulled hard early, held up in touch, ridden 2f out, headway to chase winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home
always in rear, outpaced from over 2f out
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd post
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 3f out, never troubled leaders
slowly into stride, ran green and soon pushed along in rear
with leader, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ridden out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
pulled hard early, led, headed 3f out, soon ridden, weakened well over 1f out
held up in touch, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
HARBINGER is put forward as the winner of the opener with Errol Flynn and Reportage others that are to the forefront of our minds. Sir Michael Stoute wasn't represented last year but his runner the year before only failed by a short-head to become his third winner of the race in ten years. Harbinger holds entries in the Derby and the Dante and will need to make an impression if he's to give an indication that he's up to fulfilling those. Jeremy Noseda has been another trainer to follow in this historic contest and the attractively bred Errol Flynn may well be able to recoup a fraction of his 180,000 guineas purchase price. Reportage is one of three Gosden runners and it may not pay to be too dogmatic about which is the stable's first string; Reportage is related to a couple of nice sorts including Paper Talk and could be the one. Ottoman Empire has an Irish Derby entry and could be another well worth considering but it's Harbinger that receives our vote.
Beauchamp Xerxes Compton Admiral colt, brother to two winners from 5f to 7f.
Big Bay (USA) Horse Chestnut colt, half-brother to two winners in Japan.
Errol Flynn (IRE) Danehill Dancer gelding, brother to winning 2yo Economic.
Harbinger Dansili colt out of winning miler Penang Pearl Half-brother to 5f winner Penang Sapphire and 7f-1m4f winner Penang Cinta.
Illusive Spirit (IRE) Clodovil gelding, half-brother to 6f-1m1f winner Cheddar Island.
Lord Fidelio (IRE) Xaar gelding, half-brother to a useful winner in the USA and winners in France and Italy.
Militarist (USA) War Chant colt out of the useful Season's Greetings.
Ottoman Empire (FR) Pivotal colt out of the useful 1m2f winner Chesnut Bird.
Dolores Ortiz (IRE) High Chaparral filly, half-sister to three winners.
Repetischa (IRE) Peintre Celebre filly out of winning miler Brief Escapade Half-sister to 7f-1m winner Illuminise and stayer Newnham.
Reportage (USA) Elusive Quality colt out of 6f winner Journalist Half-brother to three winners from 6f-1m.
Best Shot Xaar filly out of winning miler Xaymara Half-sister to 7f winner Dream Theme and a winning sprinter in France.
