tracked leader, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
set steady pace, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on, led near finish
held up, ridden and no impression 2f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong
pulled hard, held up towards rear, ridden and edged left over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
keen, held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, outpaced 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reached leaders
pulled hard, held up, improved 4f out, ridden and led over 1f out, headed near finish
First Charter can take the opener at the expense of Delsarte, Westmoreland Road and Fruhlingssturm. Sir Michael Stoute's charge had a rare off day at Chester on reappearance but he is a reliable enough performer on his day and should appreciate a return to a straight-forward track like Newmarket. He was third in this race last year but with a stronger pace guaranteed, he is the percentage call. Delsarte found The Whistling Teal too good for him over 1m 5f at Newbury. A drop in trip should ensure that he is very much part of the finish. Westmoreland Road is very much part of this on the official figures although the stable's recent form has been very modest to say the least. He does hold Calibre on the bare form. Fruhlingssturm beat Naheef in a Group 2 in Germany last term on soft going. Michael Jarvis' improvement of foreign raiders, including the likes of Rakti, has been a revelation so the market is watched to see if this one has showed anything on the gallops. Island House is better over ten furlongs and is opposed while the rest will have to produce significant improvement to land this prize. First Charter is taken to regain the winning thread.
