always behind
behind, headway 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
pressed leader until approaching 2f out, soon weakened
led until 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along halfway, switched right over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd near finish, no impression on winner
held up towards rear, switched left over 2f out, headway soon after, led over 1f out, driven out
went right start, chased leaders, driven along over 2f out, soon beaten
slowly into stride, behind, headway on outside over 1f out, never reached leaders, eased when no impression inside final furlong
keen in mid-division, headway to lead briefly approaching 2f out, weakened final furlong
behind, hampered 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
towards rear, not clear run over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
This race has the habit of throwing up a surprise but in the hope this year is at least in part predictable we'll side with TWILIGHT STAR ahead of Striding Edge and Halsion Chancer. Roger Teal's charge took this race from a pound higher mark last year and, as that was his first start of the season, we know that not only does he like it here but he's also capable of producing a winning effort on seasonal debut. The horse is well treated on last year's evidence and with Fallon taking over - last year Sam Thomas took the ride - a big run looks in store. Thomas can go close again on his mount Striding Edge, a horse who had plenty go against him last time and can be given another chance off a pound lower with conditions ideal. He's just prefered to Halsion Chancer who appeals in terms of handicapping but might just be a better proposition over seven furlongs. Millfields Dreams won nicely last time and could go well up just 5lbs but he's not won on the turf for almost four years and is best watched until returning to the all weather, Kiss A Prince is a maiden on turf and may find a few too strong whilst Directorship came on a bundle for his first run last term and may do the same this year. This race is a grand spectacle but that doesn't mean it's easy to solve, so our preference for Twilight Star is only marginal.
Striding Edge (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, switched left entering final furlong, kept on, 5th of 13, 2 1/4l behind Tudor Key (9-3) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Directorship 20-1 (8-13) Keen hold, always in rear, ridden and struggling 3f out, 10th of 11, 15l behind Splinter Cell (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Carlitos Spirit (IRE) 40-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 16, 14l behind West End Lad (8-7) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Twilight Star (IRE) Evensfav (9-7) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Autumn Blades (9-3) at Brighton 7f clm stks (6) gf in Sep.
Black N Brew (USA) 15-2 (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden 1f out, kept on on entering final furlong, 6th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Officer In Command (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Halsion Chancer 8-1 (9-4) Awkward start and soon switched left, in rear, ridden 2f out, headway 1f out, staying on when switched right near finish, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind King's Caprice (9-1) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Best In Class 10-1 (9-3) Chased leader, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 23l behind Striding Edge (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Kiss A Prince 22-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon hung left, kept on to go 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Day Of The Eagle (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo app hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Aurora Sky (IRE) 11-2 (8-10) Soon led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 7l behind Hi Shinko (8-10) at Epsom Downs 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Sep.
Millfields Dreams 33-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden entering final furlong, soon led, kept on, won at Kempton 1m hacp 0-70 (5) pol beating Land Hawk (8-9) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Mr Udagawa 40-1 (8-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 10l behind Forte Dei Marmi (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Sapphire Prince (USA) 12-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 7th of 9, 12l behind Alqaahir (8-9) at Kempton 1m hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Stanley Goodspeed 22-1 (8-4) Mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 11, 6l behind Gaily Noble (9-4) at Lingfield 1m app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) pol in Mar.
Night Lily (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Led early, always prominent, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, held on, won at Kempton 1m mdn auc stks (6) pol in Sep beating Cloudesley (9-3) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
