raced alone towards stand side and well on terms, hard driven over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, hung right and weakened approaching final furlong
led centre group and overall leader, hard pressed over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
raced centre, held up towards rear, hard ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on well
raced centre, steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, chased leaders inside final furlong, never a threat
raced centre, tracked leader, every chance well over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
raced centre, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, ran on to lead inside final furlong, driven out
raced centre, tracked leader, every chance over 1f out, faded final furlong
raced centre, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
It's hard to fancy Thirsk third Balty Boys on these terms as he was well behind GM HOPKINS at Newmarket in October and also in the Royal Hunt Cup over this track and trip in June. John Gosden's miler appears to have plenty in his favour today and has gone well fresh in the past so gets the nod. Arod is the highest rated of these but would have preferred a quicker surface. Decorated Knight looks the pick of Roger Charlton's pair, though Captain Cat may not have been suited by front-running tactics last time at Lingfield. The others probably have some improving to do to get involved.
Balty Boys (IRE) 7-1 (9-12) Keen held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 5 3/4l behind Kelinni (9-10) at Thirsk 7f stks (3) sft in Apr.
Arod (IRE) (9-4) 11th of 14, 13 1/2l behind Winx (8-10) at Moonee Valley 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Battle Of Marathon (USA) 14-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden 2f out, effort when hung right entering final furlong, no impression towards finish, 5th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Mahsoob (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Apr.
Captain Cat (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Soon led, ridden and carried head high over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Captain Joy (9-5) at Lingfield 1m stks (2) pol in Mar.
Decorated Knight 7-1 (8-13) Raced towards far side, tracked leaders, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, edged right and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Energia Davos (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Gm Hopkins 9-4fav (9-2) Held up in rear, headway under pressure approaching final furlong, never on terms, 4th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Big Baz (9-2) at Newmarket 1m lst stks (1) sft in Oct.
Hors De Combat 9-2 (9-3) Raced in centre, held up, headway under pressure 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 7 1/2l behind Energia Davos (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Oct.
Moheet (IRE) (9-6) 3rd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Baltic Knight (9-6) at Doha 1m gd in Feb.