dwelt, in rear, headway to chase leaders from over 1f out, challenged and led inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up, 8th halfway, switched left under 2f out, soon one pace
close up, 3rd and pushed along halfway, soon lost position and no impression
tracked leaders, 5th halfway and pushed along, soon lost position and no impression
soon led, headed before halfway, no extra from over 1f out
held up, 7th halfway, soon closed and effort, kept on without matching principals final furlong
tracked leaders, led before halfway, attempted to assert from 2f out, soon edged right, headed and kept on without matching winner inside final furlong
chased leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along and prominent when edged right over 1f out, no impression when not much room briefly inside final furlong and switched left, kept on same pace closing stages
UK raiders have won nine of the past 14 of these and are well represented by Brando and TASLEET. The latter was withdrawn from the Duke Of York won by Harry Angel last week due to the very fast ground. Brando ran a fine race to finish second without looking like beating the winner while the selection had twice finished behind Clive Cox' flyer last season before beating him when runner-up in the British Champions Sprint at Ascot. That looks the best form on view though Aidan O'Brien has acquired a tremendous sprinting prospect from Australia in Merchant Navy, who could be anything. He has a Group 1 penalty to carry for his victory at Flemington in November and could well turn out to be a star this season. The stable also run Spirit of Valor, who was a long way behind Brando at Newmarket last month and has looked better over an extra furlong, and Intelligence Cross, who hasn't done as well as expected after landing a Group 3 here as a juvenile.
Merchant Navy (AUS) (8-3) 3rd of 15, nk behind Redkirk Warrior (9-1) at Flemington 6f gd in Mar.
Ardhoomey (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders on far side, some headway 2f out and pushed along to challenge 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, led closing stages, won at Curragh 5f lst stks (1) hvy in May beating Gorane (9-3) by hd, 8 ran.
Brando 7-2 (9-8) Held up tracking leaders, headway halfway, outpaced inside final 2f, rallied inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Harry Angel (9-13) at York 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in May.
Fas (IRE) (9-1) last of 7, 18l behind Signs Of Blessing (9-4) at Deauville 6f Grp 3 gd in Aug.
G Force (IRE) 4-1fav (10-2) Dwelt, rear of mid-division, pushed along in 8th 2f out, headway inside final furlong, kept on in 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Mokhalad (8-4) at Navan 6f hcp Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Intelligence Cross (USA) 100-1 (9-1) Disputed lead until halfway, chased leaders, weakened 2f out, last of 12, 18 3/4l behind Librisa Breeze (9-2) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Smash Williams (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, progress to 3rd final 150 yards, kept on without threatening, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Blue Uluru (8-11) at Navan 5f hcp gf in May.
Spirit of Valor (USA) 5-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 8, 8 1/4l behind Brando (9-7) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Apr.
Tasleet 10-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, 2nd inside final 2f, ridden and every chance until winner quickened on inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Librisa Breeze (9-2) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct.
