led after 1f, ridden and headed 3f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 4f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
held up in touch, lost place over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, one pace from over 2f out
As the highest rated in the field and with some solid form it's hard to look beyond HALICARNASSUS here so we won't and he should easily leave Slam and Just Lille in his wake. More used to racing well in listed and Group company the pick has been on form this winter taking a very valuable race in Dubai on good ground as well as a solid effort in the Winter Derby. Mick Channon has his string in good form at the moment and that should continue here. Slam also has some decent form in good races but no where near as impressive as the pick. He'll 12 lbs to find according to the official ratings and although he has form on fast ground he looks better in slightly softer conditions. Just Lille enjoys this trip and ground so should be around the prize money but will have to go some to beat Halicarnassus.
Exit Smiling 100-1 (9-8) Prominent far side, driven, lost place from 2f out, 16th of 21, 20l behind Manassas (9-7) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar.
General Tufto 25-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 12l behind All In The Red (9-1) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Halicarnassus (IRE) 11-1 (8-13) Started slowly, soon mid-division, ridden 3f out, no headway and outpaced final 2f, 6th of 8, 10l behind Dansant (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f Listed stks (1) pol in Mar.
Slam 12-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, no impression, last of 7, 18l behind Swinging Sixties (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Oct.
Grethel (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden and weakened 3f out, last of 12, 14l behind Red Lily (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f flls hcp (0-70) (3yo+) (5) pol in Nov.
Just Lille (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 12th of 18, 18l behind Unshakable (9-9) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcap (3) gf in Aug.