keen hold, settled in 4th place, effort to chase leader and switched left just inside final 2f, weakened approaching final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, edged right and weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway, switched left and hampered inside final furlong, not recover
pulled hard in touch, ran on same pace final 2f
disputed 2nd place, pushed along from 3f out, hard ridden and losing place when badly hampered inside final 2f, not recover
held up towards rear, headway to challenge when badly hampered and lost place inside final 2f, rallied to chase winner final 150 yards, gaining at finish
keen hold, held up in rear, headway and switched sharply left well over 1f out, kept on final furlong
disputed 2nd, ridden to challenge and edged badly right 2f out, stayed close up when badly hampered over 1f out and soon weakened
steadied at start, held up in rear, hard ridden over 2f out, soon no response
raced wide, held up, pushed along 3f out, weakened inside final 2f
in touch, headway on wide outside over 2f out, led and edged right well over 1f out, driven and ran on well final furlong
A fascinating renewal of this Group 1 contest with the improving Kalaman taking on the winners of the Irish, German and French 2,000 Guineas, Indian Haven, Martillo and Clodovil, with preference for the last mentioned. Andre Fabre's son of Danehill remains unbeaten after just five starts and showed great speed, having found himself in trouble over two furlongs out, to win the Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp last time. The faster surface should not pose a problem and he is taken to make it six out of six. Aidan O'Brien's France is held by the selection on running in France and by Indian Haven on running in the Irish 2,000 Guineas last month and is difficult to fancy. The winner at The Curragh is arguably better on a softer surface and may find one or two too quick on this ground. Martillo may lack a touch of class and a bigger threat to the selection may come from Sir Michael Stoute's Kalaman. The half-brother to Kalanisi has shown progressive form this term and has to be respected after an impressive display in Kempton's Heron Stakes but he hardly represents any value and needs to improve again. Statue of Liberty has his first start since winning the Coventry Stakes here a year ago and, coming from Aidan O'Brien's stable, has to be respected but is difficult to recommend after such a lengthy absence.
