soon led, clear over 5f out, headed over 1f out, no extra
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra closing stages
steadied in rear, smooth headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on well
tracked clear leader, under pressure well over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, never able to challenge
tracked leader, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
Cavalryman is the class act here as four of his last five starts have been in Group 1 company. He's only raced beyond 1m4f once before however, and that was in a slowly-run affair, and he's never won on anything quicker than good. We'll take him on with the progressive GULF OF NAPLES, who ran another cracker when third in the Chester Cup. The 2m2f may have been just too far on that occasion but he was still a long way ahead of today's rivals Barbican and Mystery Star. Calico Cat and Western Pearl have ability but may struggle on these terms.
Barbican 20-1 (9-10) Mid-division, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Ile De Re (8-11) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (4yo+) (2) sft.
Calico Cat 3-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden to challenge on outside over 2f out, led narrowly over 1f out, held on under pressure final furlong, won at Thirsk 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gs beating Hallmark Star (8-11) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Cavalryman 14-1 (9-0) 7th of 10, 9l behind Cirrus Des Aigles (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Mar.
Gulf of Naples (IRE) 11-2fav (9-1) Raced wide early, soon chased leading pair, went 2nd over 3f out until over 2f out, one pace and no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 16, 7l behind Ile De Re (8-11) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (4yo+) (2) sft.
Mystery Star (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Mid-division, pushed along 7f out, weakened 6f out, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind Ile De Re (8-11) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (4yo+) (2) sft.
Western Pearl 10-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, went 6th over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 19l behind Vita Nova (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 4f fll lst stks (1) sft.
