tracked leader, ridden and lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, hung right and headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, headway near side of group 2f out, went 3rd under pressure over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders in 4th, went 2nd over 1f out, ran on one pace inside final furlong, always held
tracked leading pair and keen, 2nd travelling well over 2f out, led inside final 2f, pushed along and ran on well
held up in last pair, hung right from over 2f out, pushed along and headway when hampered over 1f out, soon switched right, some headway towards finish
shade keen early, held up in 5th, pushed along halfway, weakened and behind over 1f out, eased when beaten inside final furlong
It is hard to knock INVINCIBLE ARMY’s form given his second in the Mill Reef Stakes in September received a massive boost when the winner landed the Greenham on his reappearance. This is clearly his best trip and he should win if fully wound-up. Abel Handy reversed York running with Sound And Silence in the Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket on his final start last year but this step up in trip is a worry. The latter disappointed on his reappearance at Wolverhampton but did win a Group 3 over 6f at Maisons-Lafitte last year. The filly Eirene ran a fine race in the Nell Gwyn and will appreciate dropping down a furlong but Fighting Irish, Eqtidaar and Enjazaat may already have had their limitations exposed. Laugh A Minute easily landed a valuable sales race at Doncaster in the autumn, however, and should be able to hold his own in races of this type this season.
Fighting Irish (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weaqkened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 3 1/4l behind James Garfield (9-0) at Newbury 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Apr.
Abel Handy (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Led, headed narrowly over 1f out, rallied to lead again inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Oct beating Sound And Silence (9-4) by nk, 12 ran.
Enjazaat 11-2 (9-1) Chased leaders on near side of group, 2nd halfway, every chance 2f out, soon ridden and lost 2nd, weakened final furlong, last of 9, 11 3/4l behind James Garfield (9-1) at Newbury 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Eqtidaar (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Dwelt in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 8, 7l behind Invincible Army (9-1) at Kempton 6f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Sep.
Invincible Army (IRE) 5-2fav (9-1) Steadied start, held up, steady headway over 2f out, squeezed through over 1f out, ridden and strong run inside final furlong, soon switched left, went 2nd 50 yards out and closed, not pace of winner, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind James Garfield (9-1) at Newbury 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Laugh A Minute 12-1 (8-12) Held up, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Doncaster 7f stks (2) gs in Sep beating Danzan (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 22 ran.
Sound And Silence 10-11fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, soon ridden and every chance, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Never Back Down (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f stks (2) pol in Dec.
Eirene 20-1 (9-0) Keen, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and no impression final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Soliloquy (9-0) at Newmarket 7f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Apr.
