tracked leaders, pushed along over 1f out, kept on same pace
slowly away, in rear, pushed along and wide into straight 2f out, never nearer
dwelt towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, led over 2f out, ridden clear
in touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
dwelt close up, soon pushed along, ridden and weakened final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong
FIRST TARGET is related to a couple of winning sprinters but may still prove good enough given Saeed bin Suroor sent out last year’s winner and today’s opposition have yet to threaten. Small Pianist is a half-brother to a middle-distance winner and another newcomer to note while Khaalis looks a likely improver having ran green over track and trip on his debut. Salam Ya Faisal and Widaad are others who may finish closer with the latter having switched yards since last year’s debut.
Aqaareb (IRE) 100-1 (8-13) Always in rear, 9th of 11, 14 3/4l behind Mr Jones And Me (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (6) pol in Sep.
First Target Showcasing colt out of Excelette.
Fortune Finder (USA) Evensfav (9-5) Difficult loading, started slowly, ran green in rear, some late headway, never on terms, 4th of 8, 9l behind Pale King (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f stks (5) pol in Mar.
Khaalis (IRE) 11-4 (9-2) Dwelt raced green towards rear, some late headway, never a factor, 5th of 10, 7 1/4l behind Gertcha (9-2) at Chelmsford City 1m stks (5) pol in Sep.
Salam Ya Faisal (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Gertcha (9-2) at Chelmsford City 1m stks (5) pol in Sep.
Small Pianist Kyllachy gelding out of Partly Sunny.
One Of The Girls (IRE) 250-1 (9-0) Jinked left and took a very keen hold, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 9, 21 1/4l behind Warren Rose (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m fll stks (5) gs in Aug.
Widaad 14-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 8th of 14, 6l behind Penpal (9-0) at Kempton 7f fll stks (5) pol in Nov.