held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, ran on into 2nd inside final furlong, never reached winner
edged left soon after start, prominent, keen, led over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, weakened
pulled hard in rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, edged right to challenge over 1f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, stayed on well
tracked leaders, hung left under pressure over 1f out, no extra final furlong
held up in rear, outpaced over 3f out, headway over 1f out, soon hung left under pressure, kept on same pace closing stages
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, outpaced when hampered approaching final furlong, faded
soon led, headed over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, eased
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
A valuable conditions race has tempted Aidan O’Brien to send over a couple of runners including 2000 Guineas entry U S S MICHIGAN (NAP). He had enough pace to win a maiden over 6f at Dundalk last month and the brother to a Group 3 winner over 1m1f should improve further over this extra distance with Ryan Moore preferring him to Naas handicap winner Antilles. He looks to have the returning Dark Vision to beat given Mark Johnston’s Godolphin colt won the Group 2 Vintage Stakes over 7f at Goodwood last summer while Certain Lad and Barys have landed Listed events in trips over to France and Fanaar picked-up a Listed race over 7f at Lingfield last month. A runner-up in a Group 3 at Newmarket, Bye Bye Hong Kong has a shout on these terms and also on collateral form with Dark Vision but both Shir Khan and Battle Of Waterloo step up in class having won in novice company.
Antilles (USA) 10-1 (9-2) Pushed along and reminder early, soon led, 4 lengths clear halfway, reduced advantage and ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, all out close home, won at Naas 7f hcp Yielding in Nov beating Colfer Me (8-10) by nk, 8 ran.
Barys 4-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no impression 2f out, no extra 1 1/2f out, 7th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Playa Del Puente (9-3) at Dundalk 1m lst stks (1) pol in Mar.
Battle Of Waterloo (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, easily, won at Chelmsford City 7f stks (5) pol in Nov beating Dubai Luxury (8-11) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Bye Bye Hong Kong (USA) 9-2 (9-0) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, led briefly inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Arctic Sound (9-0) at Newmarket 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Certain Lad 17-10 (9-2) Raced keenly, pressed leader on outer, led over 2f out, went left and headed over 1f out, well held final furlong, 6th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Donjah (8-9) at Krefeld 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Nov.
Dark Vision (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Chased clear leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 12 1/2l behind Too Darn Hot (9-0) at Doncaster 7f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Fanaar (IRE) 10-11fav (9-2) Dwelt close up, switched wide 3f out, pushed along 2f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Lingfield 7f lst stks (1) pol in Mar beating Deep Intrigue (9-2) by nk, 6 ran.
Shir Khan 33-1 (9-2) Soon led, made rest, ridden clear over 1f out, in no danger after, easily, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Nov beating Sezim (9-2) by 5l, 9 ran.
U S S Michigan (USA) 2-5fav (9-5) Soon close up and pressed leader, pushed along to challenge 2f out, drifted right 1 1/2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 6f mdn pol in Mar beating Royal Court (9-5) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
