held up in touch, switched left and headway over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on well
slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, soon headed, kept on same pace
held up, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
tracked leaders, keen hold, effort over 1f out, soon one pace
raced keenly, led until over 4f out, remained prominent, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up mid-division, never nearer
dwelt, behind, ridden well over 2f out, soon beaten
mid-division, driven and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
awkward start, pulled hard early, soon mid-division, struggling halfway, eased well over 1f out
always prominent, led over 4f out, headed just over 1f out, stayed on
Pescatorio has to be of interest on his debut representing the powerful O'Brien/Fallon combination but preference is for the experience of Alhaitham, who gets the nod over Muzher. The last mentioned stepped up on his debut effort when finding just one too good over six furlongs at York when last seen and has to be respected back up in trip for his return. David Elsworth's Loyal Royal has only once failed to finish in the frame in four starts and is entitled to be thereabouts again but may once more have to settle for a minor role, while Aeroplane showed promise on his only start at two but comes from a yard that has been very quiet of late. Jeremy Noseda's Serevi has shown promise and the Barry Hills-trained Bordello is bred to be useful but the vote goes to Alhaitham. John Dunlop's colt looks the form pick judged by his second of 23 behind Arm Candy here in September and on that evidence he looks the one to be on.
Aeroplane 6-4fav (9-0) Dwelt, soon tracked leaders, chased winner over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Levera (9-0) at Leicester 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Jul.
Alhaitham (USA) 7-2fav (9-0) Led stand side group, headed over 4f out, led group again 2f out, hung right over 1f out, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 23, 3l behind Arm Candy (8-9) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Sept.
Bordello Efisio gelding, brother to winning sprinter Farewell To Arms.
Loyal Royal (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Prince Woodman (9-0) at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Muzher (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden to lead final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Obe Brave (9-0) at York 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Nefski Alexander (USA) 33-1 (9-0) Mid-division effort 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, never near leaders, 9th of 19, 11l behind Red Ash (9-0) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul.
Pescatorio (USA) Storm Cat colt, brother to 7f-1m2f winner Some Kind Of Tiger, half-brother to numerous classy winners including Balanchine.
Prince Zafonic 33-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden halfway, no impression, 7th of 13, 7l behind Book Of Music (8-11) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Regal Raider (IRE) King's Best gelding out of 5f winner Alegranza.
Serevi (IRE) 7-4 (8-13) Held up, ridden halfway, kept on, never dangerous, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Financial Times (9-12) at Lingfield 5f mdn stk (5) pol in Mar.
Special Place Compton Place colt out of winning sprinter Petarga.
Star Crowned (USA) 2-1fav (9-3) In touch, lost place 6f out, no danger after, 8th of 13, 13l behind Tempsford Flyer (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
Bournonville 25-1 (8-4) Chased leader until 4f out, last of 13, well behind Chookie Windsor (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo clm (6) pol in Feb.
