steadied leaving stalls, took keen hold, held up tracking leaders, headway over 2f out, soon edging right, ran on to chase winner 1f out, no impression when hung right inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, beaten when not much room over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, chased winner from 2f out, until 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders on outside, ridden 2f out, disputing 2nd 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened soon after
held up and behind, some headway over 1f out, never going pace to trouble leaders
led on rail, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
gradually came over to stand rail from outside draw, held up, smooth headway halfway, soon tracking leaders going well, led 2f out, in command over 1f out, stayed on well, ridden out
took keen hold, steadied towards rear, headway 3f out, hung right from 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders over 4f, soon behind
held up towards rear on rail, headway over 2f out, soon edging right, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
Richard Hannon can take this race for the third year running with KING TORUS, although in Zaidan, Sonning Rose and Aidan O'Brien's pair he faces stiff opposition. On the bare reading of our selection's Leicester win he'd make only limited appeal, as the form of that race isn't working out well with no winners having come from it. However, despite changing his legs as they made the climb for home that day, the way this Oratorio colt powered clear was mightily impressive. The fact that he's the sole representative of the yard suggests they think quite a lot of him, a notion backed up by the money he attracted that day, and the yard have already tasted juvenile success this week - there could be more to come. Zaidan shaped as though he'd improve for the run when winning over five furlongs at Doncaster, as is usually the case with juveniles from the yard. He impressed that day and the third horse makes the form look solid while the fifth has won since and he can only do better for the extra yardage. Sonning Rose did well to win at Pontefract and whilst it's a long way from there to here she may just be underestimated in the market. The Goodwood maiden she ran in on debut looked a warm heat and has produced winners whilst the way she made up her ground when winning was visually impressive as she'd been set far too much to do. On jockey bookings Jackaroo is the pick of the O'Brien pair; he made a winning debut at Gowran Park which suggests he's above-average. Stablemate Eskimo was two-lengths behind that day when again seemingly the second string - he was twice the price and apprentice ridden - but this horse looked to have come on plenty for the run when winning next time and could be the value of the pair. Maiden Lexington Bay isn't discounted for a yard having a superb year, he shaped with real promise when tenderly ridden at Chester and is a half-brother to a Group class sprinter. The form of Clarke Lane's second last time wasn't done any harm with a fair effort from Galtymore Lad in the Coventry although he needs to improve whilst that yards Fork Handles impressed at Haydock but is bred to want further than this and we'll return to King Torus for the all-conquering Hannon and Hughes partnership.
Casper's Touch (USA) 9-1 (8-6) 3 path, tired, 4th of 12, 10l behind Metropolitan Man (8-6) at Keeneland(USA) 4f 2yo mdn stks in Apr.
Clarke Lane (USA) 2-1fav (9-0) Chased leaders on outside, wide and driven 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Galtymore Lad (9-0) at Pontefract 6f 2yo stks (2) gf in May.
Eskimo (IRE) 2-11fav (9-3) Made virtually all, joined for lead early, went clear entering straight, nudged along when jinked slightly off rail 150yds out, stayed on well, easily, won at Tipperary 7f 2yo mdn gf in May beating Noble Call (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Jackaroo (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Disputed early, soon chased leaders, 4th halfway, improved to challenge 2f out, ridden to lead over 1 1/2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Gowran Park 7f 2yo mdn gf in May beating Eskimo (8-10) by 2l, 10 ran.
King Torus (IRE) 6-4fav (9-3) In rear of main group, pushed along halfway, switched left towards stands' side over 1f out, edged right and led approaching 1f out, ran on, won at Leicester 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in May beating Tokum (9-3) by 5l, 11 ran.
Lexington Bay (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Slowly away, behind, ridden 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Amwell Pinot (9-3) at Chester 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in May.
Slim Shadey 16-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders,ridden over 1f out, kept on, 5th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Honourable Knight (8-9) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd.
Straight Line (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Slight lead, pushed along halfway, headed over 1f out, one pace and well held when hung left inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 9l behind Strong Suit (9-3) at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in May.
Zaidan (USA) 10-1 (9-3) Behind, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, led approaching final furlong, drew clear, ran on well, won at Doncaster 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in May beating Bunce (9-3) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Fanny May 9-2 (9-0) Pulled hard in touch, headway over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, led final 100 yards, all out, won at Lingfield 6f 2yo fll mdn (5) gf beating Fifth Commandment (8-9) by ns, 12 ran.
On Wings Of Love (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 4th near finish, 4th of 11, 3l behind So Belle (9-0) at Leicester 6f 2yo fll mdn (4) gf.
Sonning Rose (IRE) Evensfav (8-6) Tracked leaders, effort and not much room approaching 1f out, soon switched right, ridden inside final furlong, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Pontefract 6f 2yo flls mdn auc stks (5) gf beating Whisper Louise (8-4) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Fork Handles 2-1fav (9-0) Restless in stalls, slowly into stride, close up on outside after 2f, challenged 2f out, led and edged right over 1f out, shaken up and kept on strongly final furlong, won at Haydock 6f 2yo fll mdn (5) gf in May beating Box Of Frogs (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
