held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, effort over 2f out, no impression
soon led steady pace, pushed along 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong
took keen hold behind leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
held up, smooth progress 2f out, led over 1f out, quickened clear and hung right approaching final furlong, driven out
steadied at start, squeezed on inner and took keen hold to go prominent, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out
held up, headway when ridden 2f out, chased winner final furlong
In the Dante, Motivator gets the nod ahead of Albert Hall, Kandidate and The Geezer. It is time for Motivator to step up and show us what he is made of. He has been spoken of very highly since his two-year-old days and, to be fair, has done little wrong, winning twice and closing off last season with a win in the Racing Post Trophy. For his seasonal return, the weather seems to have favoured him and we will get more of an idea as to his potential following today's run. Whether or not it will be the same over a mile-and-a-half on faster going at Epsom is a different story. However, give credit where it is due and he is entitled to full respect today. Albert Hall was beaten two-and-a-half lengths by Motivator in the Racing Post so is entitled to go well, as is the 2,000 Guineas third Kandidate, although he is not certain to be as effective at this longer trip. Proclamation won well on his Newmarket bow but takes a big step up in class now, but The Geezer is progressing nicely and has won twice this season, although the horse beat at Newbury last time finished well behind Gypsy King at Chester last week. Falstaff is in the field as a pacemaker, it would seem so, in conclusion, it what should prove to be an informative Dante, we will side with Motivator.
Albert Hall 5-2 Held up in rear, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Motivator at Doncaster 1m 2yo Grp 1 (A1) sft in Oct.
Falstaff (IRE) 8-1 4th of 5, 3l behind Kendor Dine at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 3 hvy in Apr.
Kandidate 100-1 Always prominent, every chance over 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 19, 2l behind Footstepsinthesand at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 1 gf in Apr.
Motivator 6-4fav Held up in touch, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m 2yo Grp 1 (A1) sft in Oct beating Albert Hall by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Proclamation (IRE) 12-1 Always prominent, led 3f out, edged left and ran on well final furlong, won at Newmarket 1m 2yo mdn (D2) sft in Oct beating Unfurled by 3 1/2l, 21 ran.
The Geezer 13-8fav Tracked leading pair, led well over 1f out, shaken up approaching final furlong, soon clear, won at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo stk gs in Apr beating Thunderwing by 5l, 6 ran.
