chased leaders of far side group, ridden well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up far side group, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on
held up stands side group, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
chased leader far side group, weakened final furlong
led far side group and overall leader, headed over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders far side group, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong
chased leaders stands side group, no extra final furlong
raced stands side group, always towards rear
in rear far side group, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
behind far side group, no impression
held up far side group, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace
slowly away, raced far side group, towards rear
led stands side group, weakened over 1f out
towards rear stands side group, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders stands side group, no extra final furlong
Nonrunner
Hoh Mike, Haatef and Utmost Respect are three suggestions against the field with Michael Bell's runner the pick. There are any number of viable winners in this competitive contest although it will require a big performance from those with penalties to land the odds. The selection enjoyed a decent season last year but appeared to become outpaced in the top grade over the minimum and this could turn out to be his trip. He runs well fresh, has his conditions and should run a big race. Haatef does have a penalty to contend with but he still makes the short-list. His connections took a while to work out what his trip was but that should no longer be an issue following his win in the Diadem Stakes in September. He's open to plenty of improvement at this trip this season and could be a class act. Utmost Respect could go well at a bigger price as he is facing a steep rise in class. However, last season proved time and again that the top sprinters were not all that far ahead of the handicappers and Richard Fahey's runner has always been held in the highest regard. There's also a slight question mark over the ground but it would be no surprise to see him make his mark at this level during the course of the season. Today, though, we're going to take a chance with Hoh Mike.
War Artist (AUS) 18-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on, never nearer, 6th of 20, 5l behind Zidane (9-4) at Newmarket 6f lst stk (1) gd in Apr.
Haatef (USA) 8-1 (8-12) Held up centre group, headway over 1f out, driven and stayed on to lead post, won at Ascot 6f Grp 2 (1) gs in Sept beating Dark Missile (8-11) by a shd, 17 ran.
Assertive 9-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, every chance inside final furlong, kept on well, 2nd of 20, shd behind Zidane (9-4) at Newmarket 6f lst stk (1) gd in Apr.
Balthazaar's Gift (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 20, 13l behind Zidane (9-4) at Newmarket 6f lst stk (1) gd in Apr.
Beaver Patrol (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Raced stands side, led after 2f, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no chance with far side group, 13th of 25, 6l behind Off The Record (8-12) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gd.
Beckermet (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 7l behind Appalachian Trail (9-11) at Haydock 7f lst stk (1) gd.
Big Timer (USA) 8-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway when not much room, switched right over 1f out, every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Utmost Respect (9-0) at Thirsk 6f stk (3) gs in Apr.
Galeota (IRE) 11-1 (9-10) Raced centre, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 23rd of 25, 15l behind Off The Record (8-12) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gd.
Garnica (FR) 28-1 (9-2) 4th straight, disputed 3rd 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 8l behind Toylsome (9-2) at Longchamp 7f Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Hoh Mike (IRE) 150-1 (9-11) Outpaced, last after 1f, some progress from over 1f out, never dangerous, 13th of 17, 9l behind Benbaun (9-11) at Longchamp 5f Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Honoured Guest (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Held up, 6th and ridden halfway, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 9, 19l behind Jumbajukiba (9-3) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 (1) sft in Apr.
Prime Defender 5-1fav (9-4) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 7th of 20, 5l behind Zidane (9-4) at Newmarket 6f lst stk (1) gd in Apr.
Rising Shadow (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Raced far side, held up in rear, effort 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 17th of 25, 9l behind Off The Record (8-12) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gd.
Sonny Red (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 20, nk behind Zidane (9-4) at Newmarket 6f lst stk (1) gd in Apr.
Us Ranger (USA) 4-5fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, progress into moderate 4th over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Jumbajukiba (9-3) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 (1) sft in Apr.
Utmost Respect 15-8 (9-0) Held up behind leaders, smooth progress to lead approaching final furlong, pushed out, comfortably, won at Thirsk 6f stk (3) gs in Apr beating Big Timer (9-0) by 2l, 6 ran.
Wi Dud 5-6fav (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra inside, 5th of 6, 9l behind Utmost Respect (9-0) at Thirsk 6f stk (3) gs in Apr.
Soldier's Tale (USA) 9-1 (9-4) Prominent in centre group, ridden over 2f out, stayed on steadily final furlong to lead final strides, won at Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun beating Takeover Target (9-4) by a hd, 21 ran.
