led, headed over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch, ridden and led well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, always behind
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, not reach winner
behind, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong
led, headed over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
behind, ridden over 2f out, some headway over 1f out, never troubled leaders
in touch, weakened over 2f out
An open renewal can go to Etlaala ahead of Eisteddfod, Philharmonic, Welsh Emperor and Quito to name but a few. Etlaala seems to have recaptured his undoubted ability judged on two good efforts this season, and can continue his progression by landing this competitive handicap. The Barry Hills-trained colt was expected to make up into a Guineas contender at one time but missed last year's Classic and was put on antibiotics. It has taken time to get him right, but his trainer has compared him to Royal Applause who also failed to win as a three-year-old before bouncing back, and judged on his latest success in Listed company at Leicester, he has to be followed. He had both Philharmonic and Quito behind last time and should hold that pair again off levels, and a bigger danger may be Eisteddfod who by all accounts had a niggling problem when third at Thirsk on his reappearance. He should go close today, and should at the very least hold Beckermett on latest running. The Kiddykid, Steenberg, Welsh Emperor and Somnus filled the first four places in this 12 months ago and are all sure to have been primed to go well, while Dandy Nicholls saddles both Gift Horse and Moss Vale. Gift Horse beat Fonthill Road in the Stewards Cup at Goodwood last year, gaining revenge on that rival after finishing a place behind him in a handicap at this meeting. That latter form gives him a chance of beating Eisteddfod at the very least, and Eddie Ahern's mount has to be on the short-list. All things considered, the back-to-form Etlaala is the pick.
Beckermet (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Raced stands side, chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 17th of 22, 10l behind Dandy Man (8-4) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Eisteddfod 15-8fav (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden and edged left over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Welsh Emperor (9-13) at Thirsk 6f stk (3) gd in Apr.
Etlaala 6-5fav (8-12) Raced centre, always prominent, led over 4f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, all out, won at Leicester 7f lst stk (1) gd in Apr beating Philharmonic (8-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Fayr Jag (IRE) 4-1fav (9-0) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Council Member (9-1) at Redcar 7f lst stk (1) gf in Oct.
Fonthill Road (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (8-12) Mid-division, chased leaders halfway, one pace, 5th of 10, 3l behind Corridor Creeper (8-12) at Beverley 5f stk (2) gs.
Gift Horse 5-1 (9-0) Always behind, last of 17, 12l behind Goodricke (8-12) at Haydock 6f Grp 1 (1) gd in Sept.
Moss Vale (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Raced stands side, held up, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace, 13th of 22, 6l behind Dandy Man (8-4) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Philharmonic 5-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, one pace and no impression, 2nd of 3, 1 1/2l behind Majors Cast (9-7) at Haydock 7f lst stk (1) gf.
Quito (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Awkward start, raced centre, held up in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon chasing winner, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Etlaala (8-12) at Leicester 7f lst stk (1) gd in Apr.
Royal Millennium (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Raced stands side, held up in touch, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 11th of 17, 7l behind Paradise Isle (8-13) at Newmarket 6f lst stk (1) gd in Apr.
Somnus 12-1 (9-0) Always prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 15, 8l behind Le Vie Dei Colori (9-0) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 (1) gs in Oct.
Steenberg (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Prominent, 3rd halfway, 2nd and challenged over 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, 5th of 8, 11l behind Common World (9-3) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 (1) gs in Apr.
The Kiddykid (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) With leaders to over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 11l behind Les Arcs (9-2) at Redcar 6f lst stk (1) sft in Mar.
Welsh Emperor (IRE) 6-1 (9-13) Held up, driven and headway 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Thirsk 6f stk (3) gd in Apr beating River Falcon (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Mecca's Mate 16-1 (8-10) Behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Sierra Vista (8-7) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-110 (2) sft in Oct.
Balthazaar's Gift (IRE) (9-0) Prominent, not clear run 3f out, headway to lead over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Maisons-Laffitte 6f Grp 2 (1) gs in Nov beating Gwenseb (8-10) by a nk, 10 ran.
