restrained in last, ridden for effort over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
prominent, pushed along 2f out, made no impression from over 1f out
chased leader throughout, ridden to challenge 2f out, kept on final furlong but no match for winner
held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, soon struggling
chased leaders, switched left travelling well over 1f out, ridden for effort and hung left 1f out, ran on final furlong
Zaaki is eased in grade and would have every chance on his third in the Diomed Stakes at Newbury in June. Montatham’s only defeat so far this season came when runner-up in the Royal Hunt Cup and he fully warrants this first run in Pattern race company. Jim Crowley prefers him to Motakhayyel, who won the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket before weakening quickly in a Group 3 at Salisbury last time. Epic Hero was having his first run in the country when a close second in the Strensall Stakes at York and could easily go one better but the vote goes to the filly LAVENDER’S BLUE, who likes it here and was a bit unlucky when trying to win the Atalanta Stakes for a second time last month.
Bless Him (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Regal Reality (9-3) at Salisbury 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Epic Hero (FR) 10-1 (9-5) Close up, headway and left in lead approaching 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Certain Lad (9-5) at York 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Aug.
Montatham 7-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd and challenged inside final 2f, led and edged right over 1f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, all out, won at York 1m hcp (2) gd in Aug beating Sir Busker (9-7) by nk, 17 ran.
Motakhayyel 5-2fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 6f out and pressing for lead, shaken up 2f out, weakened quickly, 7th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Regal Reality (9-3) at Salisbury 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Aug.
Zaaki 4-1 (9-5) Raced keenly, held up in last pair, headway between horses inside final 2f, never going pace to threaten, weakened into 4th final 75 yards, 4th of 7, 4 1/4l behind Extra Elusive (9-5) at Haydock 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Aug.
Lavender's Blue (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders on inside, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, never able to challenge, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Maamora (9-4) at Sandown 1m Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Aug.
Posted 22-1 (9-4) Wore hood to post, held up off the pace in last trio in steadily run race, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on well in closing stages pressing for places, never able to challenge, 5th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Maamora (9-4) at Sandown 1m Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Aug.
