slight lead on stands side rail, headed inside final 3f, chased leader to 2f out, weakened quickly soon after
slowly away, well behind when reminders halfway, made some late headway
chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never pace to threaten leaders
chased leaders on outside until weakened inside final 2f
held up in touch, weakened over 2f out, beaten when went right over 1f out
chased leaders, challenged going well 2f out, soon edged left and ridden, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
prominent, chased winner over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, one pace
soon in touch, promising effort over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
with leader, led inside final 3f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well
FIREBACK is the pick in this opener with Trailblazing and Taajub also on the radar. Andrew Balding's charge is a son of Firebreak and is closely related to Gothenberg. With a yard that has a 23% strike rate with its juveniles this term, there is plenty to like about this debutant. Trailblazing has the obvious benefit of racecourse experience. Mark Johnston's horses tend to improve for the benefit of racing although the recent line of form took something of a knock at Pontefract earlier in the week. Taajub is a son of Exceed and Excel and holds an entry in the Gimcrack Stakes. Tatawor will be one of the first juveniles out of Marcus Tregoning's stables this season. Having had problems, this yard is probably best watched at present. Frozen Power has entries in all the big juvenile sprints although backing Godolphin juveniles first time out has not proved a fruitful strategy. Mick Channon has been back among the winners but Pintura will need to have come on plenty for an absence. Fantastic Prince is rated 79 by the BHA assessor and is the benchmark for these to aim at. A watch the market race and without reference to the information it provides, Fireback gets the verdict.
Fantastic Prince 9-2 (9-3) Chased winner, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Flying Statesman (9-3) at Ayr 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jun.
Fireback Firebreak colt out of So Discreet.
Frozen Power (IRE) Oasis Dream colt out of Musical Treat.
He's Invincible 15-2 (9-3) Towards rear, effort on outer 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 11l behind Aerodynamic (9-3) at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Jun.
House Red (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Led, headed halfway, remained in touch until weakened entering final furlong, 5th of 7, 5l behind Reeds Bay (9-0) at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Pintura 6-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 11l behind Red Avalanche (9-3) at Nottingham 5f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Apr.
Satwa Son (IRE) Oasis Dream colt out of Cozy Maria.
Sheer Force (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Slowly away, behind, shaken up and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 8l behind Arcano (9-0) at Newbury 6f (4) gf in Jun.
Taajub (IRE) Exceed And Excel colt out of Purple Tiger.
Tatawor (IRE) Kheleyf colt out of Romea.
Trailblazing 7-2 (9-3) With leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied towards finish, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Merseyside Star (9-3) at Carlisle 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Old Devil Moon (IRE) Johannesburg colt out of Tencarola.
Count Of Anjou (USA) Lion Heart colt out of Woodmaven.
