led, driven and headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up in touch, pulled hard early, pushed along over 2f out, soon no impression
awkward start, tracked leaders, switched left to challenge over 1f out, not pace of winner
with leader, led over 2f out, ridden clear final furlong, comfortable
held up in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon hung left, weakened final furlong
MEEZAAN is on the upgrade and gets a slender vote of confidence ahead of Rodrigo De Torres and Citrus Star. It's also feasible that Below Zero can step up to the plate and is a worthy contender for top honours. The suitability of a drop to seven furlongs is a minor doubt, though. Citrus Star made good progress as a juvenile - his third in a Listed race here last October is a particularly solid piece of form. Gelded since then, Chris Wall's three-year-old is one to follow if he conclusively proves he's trained on. Similar comments apply to Rodrigo De Torres, whose pedigree suggests he'll thrive this year. And, having gone too freely in the Greenham Stakes a fortnight ago, he can at least be expected to appreciate this ease in grade. However, Meezaan comfortably blitzed a field of useful handicappers at Newbury on his latest start and, even though this is a much tougher assignment; this well-made colt is too progressive to ignore in a race of this nature.
Below Zero (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Took keen hold, soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, unable to quicken, no impression well inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind No Hubris (9-2) at Sandown 1m con stks (3) gd in Apr.
Exceedingly Bold 20-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden over 1f out, never on terms, 9th of 14, 6l behind Carnaby Street (8-12) at Newbury 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Meezaan (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders in centre group, smooth headway over 2f out, led 2f out, pushed out final furlong, ran on well, won at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr beating High Constable (8-12) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Rodrigo De Torres 25-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, soon steadied into 4th, effort over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, soon beaten, 4th of 5, 8l behind Dick Turpin (9-0) at Newbury 7f stks G3 (1) gd in Apr.
Citrus Star (USA) 7-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, carried left well over 1f out, hard ridden to challenge, no extra, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Layla's Hero (9-4) at Doncaster 6f 2yo Listed stks (1) gs in Oct.
Taste The Victory (USA) 11-10fav (9-3) Prominent, ridden well over 1f out, hung right inside last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Jupiter Fidius (9-0) at Musselburgh 1m 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
