slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous
mid-division, pushed on 4f out, weakened 3f out
mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
bolted before start, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
always prominent, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken
took keen hold, led, headed 7f out, led again at 3f out, headed 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
pulled hard, prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, soon edged left
half reared leaving stalls, soon prominent, led 7f out, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened well over 1f out
The shortlisted three are Wulimaster, Symbol Of Peace and Augustus John, with the vote going to Augustus John. Let's run through these. Desert Leader has generally been better over further of late but he is effective at today's trip and could go well. Consonant is well-weighted based on his November 2006 form but he has to put some disappointing efforts of late to one side if he is to feature. The ex-Sir Michael Stoute-trained Wulimaster certainly showed promise on his debut for his new yard and a good run cannot be ruled out as he steps up in trip. French import Prince des Neiges should be monitored in the betting. Symbol Of Peace keeps nudging up the weights but has been generally consistent of late and could get placed. The lightly-raced Augustus John has certainly had his problems but the former Aidan O'Brien inmate ran well second to Mighty (who will, by now have run in Saturday's Winter Derby Trial) and he has to be considered. Tancredi put up a fair effort when third here three days ago and a good run from him is not ruled out either. Finally, Kabis Amigo's all-weather debut run last time was also fair and, debuting on this surface today, he could go well from his current rating, while Buscador is back to a winning mark from last November and has to be given some thought on that basis. In what is, as we say.a tricky opener, the vote goes to Augustus John.
Desert Leader (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride soon chasing leader, led 3f out, came wide into home straight, headed 1f out and one pace, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Pass The Port (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Wulimaster (USA) 8-1 (9-13) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, stayed on final 2f, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Rich Lord (8-9) at Southwell 1m mdn stk (5) fbs.
Prince Des Neiges (FR) (9-4) last of 5, 6l behind Tokyo Rose (9-1) at Nantes 1m stk sft in Oct.
Symbol Of Peace (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) In touch, led well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 10, 3l behind Melvino (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Augustus John (IRE) 11-10fav (9-3) Led to over 7f out, led again well over 2f out, hard ridden and headed just over 1f out, not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Mighty (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
Tancredi (SWE) 14-1 (8-7) Chased leader, led over 2f out, headed will inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Red Birr (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Kabis Amigos 9-1 (8-2) In touch, ridden 3f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, nk behind Wahoo Sam (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan.
Buscador (USA) 9-1 (8-3) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace after, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Sarwin (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
