behind, came wide entering straight, headway 1f out, ran on
behind, headway over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, no impression on winner
held up, ridden well over 1f out, no response
chased leader 1f, prominent, ridden 2f out, lost place over 1f out, edged left final furlong, no impression
in touch, switched right well over 1f out, soon ridden and close up, stayed on
prominent, ridden over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway well over 1f out, not clear run just over 1f out, led inside final furlong, quickened clear
led 1f, chased leader, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
Bayeux gets the vote over Quito, with Indian Maiden, Orientor and Graze On other likely contenders for the honours. The trip is the key here as Bayeux has only raced over six furlongs twice in his life, and has been successful both times. The first occasion was on his debut at Goodwood for David Loder three years ago, and after being tried over a variety of trips in good company since, including in Dubai, he returned to winning ways for Gerard Butler at Lingfield 11 days ago. Second to Milk It Mick in Group 3 company as a juvenile, he is very well treated at present and is the one that they all have to beat. Quito has been a prolific scorer in his time, having picked up 17 career wins, including in Listed company. He has an absence to overcome but has the class to take a hand if anywhere near fit. Indian Maiden has a similar break to contend with, having been off since Newmarket last October, but she is another that can mix it with the best. Although she likes to get her toe in on Turf, she has won on a Polytrack surface before. Orientor also ran at the same meeting at Headquarters and likewise was put away for the winter. He will be better for the run, while Graze On deserves a crack at this level but has gone up two stone since January. Bayeux looks well in though and has the class to prevail.
Indian Maiden (IRE) 10-3jt-fav (9-1) Pulled hard in touch, ridden halfway, soon beaten, 9th of 14, 7l behind Coconut Squeak (8-11) at Newmarket 6f lst fll stk (1) sft in Oct.
Quito (IRE) 5-1co-fav (8-12) Went left start, keen, close up, over 4f, 8th of 12, 11l behind Welsh Emperor (8-12) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Orientor 5-2fav (9-1) Held up, driven and headway over 1f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, kept on, 6th of 8, 2l behind Sierra Vista (8-7) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-110 (2) sft in Oct.
If Paradise 10-1 (8-11) In touch far side, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 12th of 13, 29l behind Presto Shinko (8-11) at Doncaster 6f lst stk (1) sft in Nov.
Treasure Cay 16-1 (8-11) Never dangerous, last of 12, 19l behind Montgomery's Arch (9-4) at Nad Al Sheba 6f hcp gd in Feb.
Josh 9-1 (8-13) Raced alone far side, joined centre and chased leader over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 16, 9l behind Pango (8-5) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Sept.
Graze On 11-10fav (9-5) Made all, ridden clear over 1f out, kept on well, won at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Law Maker (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
One More Round (USA) 10-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden over 1f out, not troubled leaders, 5th of 7, 5l behind Fyodor (9-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Bayeux (USA) 9-2 (9-13) Held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Effective (8-7) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Roman Maze 20-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 13, 6l behind Border Music (8-9) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Oct.
