in touch, ridden over 2f out, hung left when not clear run over 1f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear, effort when hung badly right over 2f out, never near to challenge
dwelt and soon mid-division, driven along over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
made all, pushed along over 2f out, ridden when edged left over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong
held up towards rear, headway on inner over 7f out, outpaced over 3f out, never dangerous
mid-division, outpaced over 4f out, soon beaten
towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, effort over 2f out, never a factor
tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on and no extra close home
Millenary is proven over this trip and finished off last season with a good win at Headquarters on soft ground. That was on soft ground over two miles so he clearly has the credentials to play a part here as that was a Group Three success. Alcazar is another to boast winning form and more recently, having beaten Franklins Gardens on good to soft ground at Ling field last month. That was also a Group Three win and he has to be on the shortlist. Frank Sonata is another to consider, having chased home Day Flight at Newbury on his seasonal re-appearance, that one went on to score at Chester next time and the form looks good and he can handle this testing surface. Papineau though can follow up his Gold Cup success with a win here. He is taking a drop in grade here and was unbeaten in three starts last season. He is having his first run of the season here but should be ready to run well having wintered in Dubai.
Papineau 5-1 (9-0) Held up, smooth headway from 4f out, ridden 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, led 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Ascot 2m 4f Grp 1 (A) gf in Jun beating Westerner (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Millenary 7-2jt-fav (9-5) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway on bit over 2f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 2m Grp 3 (A1) sft in Oct beating Franklins Gardens (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Alcazar (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway 6f out, chased leader over 4f out, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, led towards finish, won at Lingfield 2m Grp 3 (1) gs in Apr beating Franklins Gardens (8-13) by a nk, 9 ran.
Defining 9-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 12l behind Millenary (9-5) at Newmarket 2m Grp 3 (A1) sft in Oct.
Franklins Gardens 4-1 (8-13) Led, quickened over 3f out, stayed on gamely until headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Alcazar (8-13) at Lingfield 2m Grp 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Jardines Lookout (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Held up, headway halfway, outpaced straight, stayed on strongly final furlong, 3rd of 23, 4 1/2l behind Makybe Diva (8-0) at Flemington 2m Melbourne Cup Gr1 (A) slw in Nov '03.
Frank Sonata 11-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway 5f out, switched right approaching 2f out, stayed on well, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Day Flight (8-11) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Massif Centrale 10-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, effort over 3f out, weakened final 2f, last of 5, 10l behind Alkaased (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gf.
Percussionist (IRE) (8-9) 5th of 8, 10l behind Westerner (9-4) at Longchamp 1m 7f Grp 1 hvy in Oct.
