tracked leader on outer, came wide straight well over 1f out, not quicken, one pace from final furlong
raced keenly, soon led, ridden well over 1f out, headed and faded inside final furlong
held up last, in touch, headway to chase leaders 2f out, came wide straight well over 1f out, stayed on final furlong to lead final strides
towards rear, headway on outer and hung left 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, caught final strides
tracked leader on inside, every chance entering final furlong, no extra final 100 yards
held up 5th, effort over 1f out, not pace to challenge, ran on well towards finish, not reach leaders
A very interesting race for the track and for what is not a particularly big prize, and Jack Sullivan, Dark Islander and Racer Forever look the leading trio and the latter just gets the vote at these weights. The selection comes from a yard in great form and is back over a more suitable trip than when beaten over 6f in Listed company at Nad Al Sheba last time. John Gosden's charge won a valuable handicap at that same track in February and there is every reason to think that he will be ready to do himself justice here. Jack Sullivan comes here chasing a hat-trick after wins over a mile here and also over this trip at Wolverhampton. The latter win prompted Gerard Butler talk of bringing his charge back for the Winter Derby, but instead he has had a nice two month break and he should not be far away. Dark Islander won a Group 2 in the U.S.A. last year but has failed to follow up in that class since. Even so, this is a marked drop back in grade and he is very much respected. Vitznau represents an in-form yard and can build on a good win at Kempton last time, while first-time blinkers can help Smart Enough become more competitive again, but preference in this decent contest is for Racer Forever.
Jack Sullivan (USA) 10-3 (9-3) In touch, headway to lead when hung left over 1f out, ridden clear final furlong, comfortably, won at W'hampton 7f lst stk (1) pol in Mar beating War Artist (9-10) by 3l, 9 ran.
Smart Enough 14-1 (8-12) Led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 18l behind Medicine Path (9-1) at Doncaster 1m lst stk (1) sft in Apr.
Dark Islander (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Settled last, still towards rear 2f out, ran on final furlong, neareat finish, 5th of 10, 13l behind Archipenko (9-0) at Nad Al Sheba 1m Grp 2 (1) gf in Feb.
Racer Forever (USA) 5-2fav (9-0) Mid-division on rail, tracked winner 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 9l behind Mutamarres (9-0) at Nad Al Sheba 6f lst stk (1) gd in Feb.
Vanderlin 10-3 (8-5) Led early, tracked leader until 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, not clear run swithed left inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 4, 2l behind Dabbers Ridge (8-8) at Warwick 7f stk (3) sft in Apr.
Vitznau (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) Mid-division, headway 3f out, switched left over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on to lead inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Apr beating Esteem Machine (8-8) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
