with leader, led going well over 2f out, ridden, in command final furlong, driven out
led, ridden, headed over 2f out, kept on well under pressure, still every chance 1f out, no extra, lost 2nd close home
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden, every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, kept on for 2nd close home
steadied start, held up in rear, headway 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened, soon well behind
prominent on outer, lost touch over 4f out, well behind over 2f out, tailed off
Blue Ksar can get the better of Hard Top and Foxhaven. This does not make too much appeal as a betting medium as Godolphin are just as likely to let you down as come to your rescue at present, but on the basis of last season's form, Blue Ksar is the percentage call. The ex-French performer had been playing second fiddle to various stablemates last term before putting one over on his more fancied teammate Army Of Angels at Newmarket last October. That was a similar race to this, and although he would probably prefer softer ground, he makes more appeal than his two main rivals, Hard Top And Foxhaven. A lot of water has gone under the bridge since Hard Top landed the Great Voltigeur two years ago, but to be fair, he has been campaigned at a high level since, while Foxhaven is likely to find the trip on the short side. The tongue-tied Blue Ksar is the selection.
Blue Ksar (FR) 10-1 (8-10) Dwelt, led over 6f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, won at Newmarket 1m lst stk (1) sft in Oct beating Army of Angels (8-13) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Foxhaven 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders over 7f, 9th of 11, 27l behind Short Skirt (8-10) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) hvy in Oct.
Hard Top (IRE) 4-5fav (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon faded, 4th of 5, 13l behind Admiral's Cruise (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f lst stk (1) frm in Jul.
Sgt Schultz (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Charlie Tokyo (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
Undeterred 9-2 (9-6) Held up, ridden 4f out, never on terms, 5th of 12, 18l behind Mayireneyrbel (8-3) at Bath 1m 2f sll (6) frm.