chased leaders, ridden and headway over 3f out, challenged over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well
held up mid-division and keen, ridden 4f out, outpaced 3f out, kept on final furlong
held up, never on terms
held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
dwelt, behind, ridden over 3f out, no impression
led, ridden and headed 2f out, edged right over 1f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, one pace from over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, stayed on final furlong
very slowly away, in rear, never dangerous
in touch, weakened over 2f out
chased leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, no extra 1f out
always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, kept on same pace
held up, never dangerous
The three to note in the opener are Emirates Skyline, Temple Place and Vacation with the vote going to the Godolphin colt Emirates Skyline. The selection won twice as a two year old but failed to really spark last season in only two outings. He was not beaten far on both occasions and was far from disgraced but connections will be hoping that this is his year. The fact that the Godophin operation had two winners on Saturday suggests that they could be coming into form and for that reason Emirates Skyline should be treated with respect. Temple Place was a shock winner at Chester last week and bids to prove that it was no fluke. He was a moderate jumps performer who acted well around the tight bends at Chester and it will remain to be seen whether he can act around a proper galloping track against proven performers. Vacation has performed well on the all weather during the winter but has really failed to show the same level of form on the turf. He is worth noting but should find the odd horse a little to classy. So for the winner we return to Emirates Skyline.
Emirates Skyline (USA) 10-11fav (8-11) Led early, chased leader, challenged over 2f out, ridden and not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Ofaraby (9-2) at York 1m 2f stk (3) sft in Oct.
Futun 18-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, soon prominent and pulled hard, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 11, 16l behind Wannabe Posh (8-6) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Best Prospect (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up last, pushed along 3f out, no response, 7th of 8, 16l behind Tabadul (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Temple Place (IRE) 50-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf beating Stotsfold (9-4) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Pevensey (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, never near leaders, 5th of 13, 7l behind Millville (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (3) pol in Oct.
Dunaskin (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly, 13th of 15, 10l behind Luberon (9-9) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Vacation (IRE) 9-1 (7-13) Held up in 4th, closed on leaders 3f out, chased winner 1f out, stayed on to hold 2nd near finish but no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Tabadul (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Flipando (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 12th of 15, 3l behind My Paris (9-7) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) frm.
Collateral Damage (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching final furlong, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 3l behind Temple Place (8-6) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Blue Spinnaker (IRE) 12-1 (8-4) Switched left soon after start, held up, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Temple Place (8-6) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Flying Clarets (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Close up, ridden along over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on inside final furlong, held, 2nd of 8, shd behind Abandon (9-10) at Pontefract 1m 2f fll hcp (3) gf.
Spell Casting (USA) 9-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 14, 9l behind Mobaasher (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gs in Sept.
Tiger Tiger (FR) 11-1 (8-6) Raced in 5th, driven along halfway, weakened 3f out, last of 8, 25l behind Tabadul (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Bailieborough (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Goodbye Mr Bond (9-4) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Woolfall Blue (IRE) 5-2fav (8-13) Led after 1f, headed over 1f out, chased winner to 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Ballinteni (8-11) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Freeloader (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Always in rear, last of 8, 14l behind Future's Dream (8-13) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-90 (3) fbs in Apr.
Dium Mac 12-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, not much room and hampered well over 1f out, not recover, 9th of 17, 6l behind Forroger (9-1) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
