slowly into stride, in rear, outpaced 4f out, never near leaders
soon led, quickened clear over 2f out to over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner final 100 yards
in touch, chased leader 4f out to over 1f out, one pace final furlong, no impression
hampered after 1f, towards rear until headway on outside to go prominent halfway, reminder over 4f out, ridden and outpaced 3f out, weakened 2f out
switched left to inside rail after 1f, tracked leaders, driven and outpaced 3f out, soon no impression, ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up behind, headway over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, ran on well to lead inside final furlong, quickened clear final 100 yards, readily
tracked leader to 4f out, ridden and outpaced 2f out, kept on same pace approaching final furlong, no impression
LONGLINER was a tad disappointing on his return but is given another chance ahead of Youm Jamil and Cultivar, although Pekan Three and Thaahira can't be discounted. Sir Michael Stoute has his string in decent order and his well-bred sort has an entry in the Irish Derby to confirm the regard in which he's held. A son of Dalakhani, he certainly caught the eye as a juvenile when placed twice and rated one to keep on the right side this term, making his effort behind Coordinated Cut all the more disappointing. That said he's back into maiden company today and looks the best horse in the race on all known form and the yard took this last year with subsequent Group winner Harbinger. Youm Jamil is rated 9lbs inferior to our pick and it's difficult to be confident about him winning with that in mind, but the maiden in which he ran last time looked strong and if anything this extra yardage will help Brian Meehan's horse. Cultivar was a tad disappointing on his return but could do better upped in trip, whilst Pekan Three isn't discounted but would be of greater interest over a couple of furlongs further. Thaahira ran well on her sole juvenile start and is a potential improver but this trip is an unknown and that maiden hasn't worked out particularly well and unless support arrived in spades for Peter Chapple-Hyam's well-bred Abu Wathab this should go to Longliner who can enhance his yard's good record in this particular race.
Abu Wathab Nayef colt out of Fleeting Rainbow.
Cultivar 2-1fav (9-3) Close up, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 16, 9l behind Bullwhip (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn (4) gs in Mar.
Longliner 10-3fav (9-3) Raced far side, keen, chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 16, 10l behind Coordinated Cut (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo aut stk (2) gd in Apr.
Pekan Three (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Dwelt, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, driven and stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 2 1/4l behind Sunny Game (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Youm Jamil (USA) 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, bumped 3f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Fair Trade (9-3) at Newbury 1m 3yo mdn (4) gd in Apr.
Thaahira (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 15, 6l behind Thrill (9-0) at Salisbury 7f 2yo stks (5) sft in Oct.
Veni Vedi Veci (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Prominent on stands side, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 16, 11l behind Dancing David (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Diamondgeezer Luke (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 5th early, no impression straight, 9th of 14, 10l behind Willyconker (8-13) at Dundalk 7f 2yo hcp 50-70 std in Nov.
