tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on
led, ridden over 2f out, headed not quicken inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, soon not much room, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway 3f out, soon ridden, edged left and led inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on not reached leaders
slowly into stride, behind, pushed along over 4f out, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
The vote here goes to Almighty, with his main dangers reckoned to be Hearthstead Wings and Shannon Springs. On the face of things, Almighty was disappointing on his return for the season but, he probably needed that run and can build on it - and his good reputation - today. He is a half-brother to Sagamix and certainly created a favourable impression when scoring at Navan last season on his second start. The horse that First Row beat last time has since won from a mark of 81, which means that he has much more to do here, while Hallhoo won a modest renewal of Epsom's Blue Riband Trial. However, Hattan's Sandown Classic Trial run was smart, and he is respected, while Hearthstead Wings was just a neck behind him there, and he too looks set to go well. Kalamkar is from the Sir Michael Stoute camp but today's race is a big step up from his debut maiden fifth at Newmarket, although he is a half-brother to Kalanisi and Kalaman, while Marcus Tregoning runs Night Hour, but he has something to prove following his Newmarket defeat. Finally, Barry Hills, who does so well at this track, runs Shannon Springs, who improved for the step up in trip when winning at Newmarket last time. More is needed here, but he could go well. However, for the winner, we will side with Almighty.
Almighty (USA) Evensfav Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along 3f out, 4th and ridden early straight, no impression from 1 1/2f out, 4th of 5, 6l behind Bobs Pride at Leopardstown 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 sft in Apr.
First Row (IRE) 10-3 Made virtually all, ridden over 3f out, clear well over 1f out, easily, won at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn sft in Apr beating Hiddensee by 9l, 9 ran.
Hallhoo (IRE) 3-1 Tracked leaders, pushed along in straight, ridden and 3 lengths down 1f out, stayed on grimly to lead last stride, won at Epsom 1m 2f 3yo stk gs in Apr beating Elliots World by a shd, 5 ran.
Hattan (IRE) 50-1 Dwelt, in touch, driven along 3f out, stayed on final furlong to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Fracas at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 gs in Apr.
Hearthstead Wings 7-2jt-fav Led for 1f, tracked leader, driven along 4f out, rallied to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, not quicken final furlong, 4th of 8, 3l behind Fracas at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 gs in Apr.
Kalamkar (IRE) 7-1 Held up, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 11, 3l behind Top Gear at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn gf in Apr.
Night Hour (IRE) 11-2 Tracked leaders and keen, pushed along 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, eased when beaten, 7th of 9, 15l behind Something Exciting at Newmarket 1m 2yo stk (C1) sft in Oct.
Shannon Springs (IRE) 11-10fav Held up in rear, patiently ridden, headway approaching 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out final furlong, won at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo mdn gf in Apr beating Bay Story by 2l, 7 ran.
