Godolphin suffered a reversal in this last year when the odds-on Maftool was beaten into third, though he made amends in the Guineas a month later. STEADY PACE looks their leading candidate this time around as though he didn't win in six starts after a successful debut at Ascot he was only once out of a place at a very high level, including when third in the Middle Park on his final start. He's joined in the line-up by the owner's Rouleau, who was three lengths behind in that latter event but looked much more at home when landing the Group 3 Sirenia Stakes on Kempton's Polytrack earlier. Calder Prince was earmarked for this after following his Pontefract debut success with a smooth victory at Chelmsford while Jamie Osborne has had plenty of success around here and takes the unusual option of entering the filly Illegally Blonde in the race, though she'll need to improve. Market Rally was very impressive when making a successful debut on Dirt at Monmouth Park in August and his trainer and jockey have been in good form since the start of the season.
Rouleau 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders to halfway, soon behind, ridden and stayed on into 5th inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 5th of 7, 5 3/4l behind Shalaa (9-0) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Atta Alla Archipenko colt out of Rosa De Mi Corazon.
Calder Prince (IRE) 7-4 (9-0) Tracked leaders, switched right over 1f out, soon went 2nd, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, readily, won at Chelmsford City 6f stks (3) pol in Nov beating Harvard Man (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Follow The Rules 66-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 9, 19 3/4l behind Prince Hellvelyn (9-5) at Newcastle 6f mdn stks (6) gf in Jun.
Market Rally (USA) 3-5fav (8-7) 4 wide, bid, drew clr, won at Monmouth Park 1m mdn fst in Aug beating Devastating (8-7) by 4 3/4l, 7 ran.
Prince Jai (8-7) 11th of 16, 18 1/4l behind Sky Jockey (9-6) at Jebel Ali 7f mdn stks fst in Dec.
Steady Pace 25-1 (9-0) Held up in last pair in touch, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, took 3rd towards finish, no impression, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Shalaa (9-0) at Newmarket 6f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Illegally Blonde (IRE) 6-4fav (9-7) Close up, headway to chase clear winner entering final furlong, ridden and ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Threebagsue (8-1) at Lingfield 7f (2) pol in Dec.
