mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace
behind, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
led, headed over 2f out, no extra
towards rear, ridden 2f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no impression
mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, always well held
with leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well
behind, kept on from over 1f out, no impression
Moon River made all to beat Trojan Rocket, Showboating and Philba over course and distance two weeks ago and may well come out best of that quartet again today, despite a 3lb higher mark. But this is a better race and last year's winner Pearl Nation, a stablemate of Moon River and Philba, is interesting having had a couple of runs at Meydan this year. Sound Advice made his reappearance in the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton and ran well for a long way but Bertiewhittle has disappointed once too often and Claim The Roses is best watched after a break. Lexington Times has his first run on the surface but HIGHLAND COLORI (NAP) showed he handled the track when second to Westwood Hoe here in December when Pearl Nation and Showboating were behind. He was only beaten half-a-length and, with that experience under his belt, can go one better.
Sound Advice 33-1 (9-9) Raced freely in touch, headway to join leader when pace eased after 2f, led well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened closing stages, 8th of 12, 5l behind Keystroke (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Pearl Nation (USA) (8-13) 12th of 23, 20 1/4l behind Maftool (9-5) at Meydan 1m hcp fst in Feb.
Highland Colori (IRE) 9-2jfav (9-2) Chased leaders, effort approaching final furlong, stayed on strongly towards finish, never reached winner, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Westwood Hoe (8-7) at Southwell 7f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Lexington Times (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, kept on well, 5th of 8, 1 1/4l behind Shyron (8-10) at Lingfield 7f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Philba 7-2 (9-4) Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Moon River (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Showboating (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Raced wide mid-division, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, not reach leaders, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Moon River (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Trojan Rocket (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Led, headed halfway, ridden 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Moon River (8-11) at Southwell 7f hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Claim The Roses (USA) 5-1 (9-3) Raced wide, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 12, 4 3/4l behind Secret Missile (9-1) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (3) pol in Oct.
Moon River (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Prominent, led halfway, ridden over 1f out, edged left and stayed on inside final furlong, won at Southwell 7f hcp (3) pol in Mar beating Trojan Rocket (9-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Bertiewhittle 16-1 (8-6) Towards rear, outpaced over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 5th of 8, 3 3/4l behind Mister Universe (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp (2) pol in Mar.
