held up, headway over 2f out, every chance and hung right under pressure inside final furlong, kept on
held up in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, stayed on
held up, headway over 2f out, driven to challenge over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and strongly challenged from over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leader, keen hold, hard driven over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
slowly away, held up in touch and pulled hard, weakened over 2f out
Nonrunner
Ecomium is selected to spring a bit of a surprise over Ancient World, with Vortex and the reappearing Tomoohat other interesting contenders. Normally Ancient World would be the first name on anybody's list of likely winners in this type of event, but it has to be pointed out that he did not look anywhere near back to his best when only third to Polar Bear in a conditions event at Newbury on his return to the fray recently. Granted that was his first outing since contesting the Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin in December and he was carrying a penalty for his Group 1 success in Italy last October. Even so, better was expected last time, and unless he has improved rapidly in the space of a fortnight, he could be worth taking on here. Ecomium is still on the comeback trail himself after having a setback last year. This one-time Classic hope needed his return at Doncaster and with Kieren Fallon now booked, could at last start to realise his potential. Vortex is rated Group-class by his trainer and he ran another sound race in defeat behind New Seeker at Newbury. A strong pace will suit him and if he gets it, the six-year-old may come flying late to take a hand. Sir Michael Stoute runs a trio including the forgotten filly Tomoohat who suffered a setback after making a winning debut here last October. She could still be Group-class as well in time but a watching brief is advised today, and a small wager on Ecomium may come up trumps.
Ancient World (USA) 5-6fav (9-3) Led, ridden and strongly challenged from 2f out, hung right and headed inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Polar Bear (8-11) at Newbury 1m 1f stk (3) gf.
Babodana 16-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden and headway to challenge 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Chic (8-12) at Goodwood 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Ecomium (IRE) 11-4 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 13l behind Echo of Light (8-11) at Doncaster 1m 2f stk (2) gs.
Polar Ben 6-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Linngari (8-11) at Haydock 1m lst stk (1) gd.
St Andrews (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Towards rear, driven and headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 7l behind My Paris (8-12) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-110 (2) sft.
Bahar Shumaal (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, 7th 4f out, kept on same pace under pressure straight, 5th of 9, 11l behind Hurricane Run (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Forward Move (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 1f out, 7th of 8, 16l behind Chic (8-12) at Goodwood 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Home Affairs 2-1fav (8-7) Held up towards rear, switched left, ridden and effort over 2f out, not quicken final furlong, 7th of 10, 7l behind Layman (8-7) at Salisbury 1m Grp 3 (1) gf in Aug.
Rob Roy (USA) 13-8jt-fav (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Elliots World (8-11) at Doncaster 1m 3yo stk (3) gs.
Tomoohat (USA) 12-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (D2) sft in Oct beating Kenmore (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 23 ran.
Vortex 8-1 (9-3) Held up, headway on stand rail 2f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, kept on well but no impression, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind New Seeker (9-0) at Newbury 7f lst stk (1) gf.
Fong's Thong (USA) 16-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 20l behind Linngari (8-11) at Haydock 1m lst stk (1) gd.
