soon pressing winner, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened to 4th approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, switched right to inside 3f out, chased winner approaching final 2f, soon challenging and every chance, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, just held on for 2nd
awkward leaving stalls, took keen hold tracking leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on to press for 2nd close home, no chance with winner
made all, stayed one off far rail, joined 2f out, riden to assert inside final furlong
always last, weakened 3f out
All of these have shown decent form so far, though it's unlikely any of them will prove up to classic standard next year. Ralph Beckett's Frog Hollow won it 12 months ago, beating Richard Hannon's Lord Of the Shadows into second place, but the Hannon stable had won the race the previous two years and look to have the ideal candidate this time around in BALTIC KNIGHT. He gets 5lb from Beckett's Windsor and Ripon winner Silver Ridge, despite having won well at Kempton on his second start and running Montridge to a head over 7f at Sandown on his next start. King Dragon has been quite highly tried and should run his race again but this trip could be too far for the speedy Vectis and Mick Duggan only won a Kempton claimer on debut.
Silver Ridge (IRE) 6-4fav (9-7) Led early, tracked leader, ridden to lead 1f out, held on well towards finish, won at Ripon 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Aug beating Rated (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
King Dragon (IRE) 40-1 (8-9) Behind, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 7th of 21, 4l behind The Gold Cheongsam (8-1) at Doncaster 6f 2yo aut (2) gd in Sep.
Vectis 11-4fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, in rear and pushed along, ridden and headway entering final furlong, wandered slightly and ran on towards finish, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Effie B (9-4) at Sandown 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
Baltic Knight (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Led after 1f, set steady pace, quickened over 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, headed and just outpaced close home, 2nd of 5, hd behind Montiridge (9-3) at Sandown 7f 2yo nov stk (4) gd in Sep.
Mick Duggan 5-2 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, led towards finish, held on well, won at Kempton 7f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Sep beating Wordsaplenty (8-3) by 1l, 6 ran.