tracked leaders, pecked 4 out, ridden next and soon weakened
led, headed 2nd, stayed prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out
in touch and keen, headway to join leaders after 3 out, every chance after 2 out, soon one pace
held up and keen, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed briefly 2 out, hard ridden when headed well after last
held up and keen, headway to chase leaders 3 out, kept on
held up, headway after 4 out, blundered 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, led 2nd, headed 3rd, ridden to lead briefly 2 out, battled on well to lead well after last
Three very interesting newcomers here, Barjou, Tarlac and Sakenos, but on this occasion we will go with proven form and take Kalmini to beat Opera Mundi. The selection was most impressive when winning on her debut at Huntingdon. It was a similar class event as today's and she absolutely cruised to a six lengths victory. There should be more to come and she looks the one to be on. Opera Mundi was second in a valuable event in France and is now with the powerful Paul Nicholls yard. Look out for market confidence in this one. This also applies to the debutante's, the best of which could be Nicky Henderson's Tarlac, a Group winner on the flat, who will have no doubt been well schooled. So a decent looking event and Kalmini could have the class to land first prize.
Barjou (NZ) Al Akbar gelding out of Glowing Satin.
Sakenos (POL) (9-4) Won at Sluzewiec 1m 5f stk gf in Jun '04 beating Nobila (9-2) by 1/2l, 14 ran (Flat).
Tarlac (GER) (9-0) 5th of 10, 5l behind Dalicia (8-7) at Baden-Baden 1m 2f Grp 3 gd in Aug (Flat).
Primeshade Promise 40-1 (9-12) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Norma Hill (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Nov '04, 15 ran.
Harry May 6-1 (10-12) In touch in chasing group, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Josear (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Legally Fast (USA) 16-1 (10-12) Keen hold, held up, headway approaching 3 out, led before last, headed and not quicken flat, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Barnbrook Empire (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Opera Mundi (FR) (9-13) 2nd of 14, 4l behind Turange (9-13) at Auteuil 1m 7f hdl in Oct.
Shannon Springs (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Behind, mistake 4th, headway 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 9, 35l behind Afsoun (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (B) gs in Dec.
Smokincanon 40-1 (10-2) Not fluent, took keen hold and always in rear, tailed off 6th, 6th of 14, well behind Josear (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Kalmini (USA) 28-1 (10-7) Close up, led 2 out, shaken up and quickened clear flat, eased near finish, won at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (B) gd in Nov beating Kanpai (11-0) by 6l, 10 ran.
