keen hold towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression
held up, ridden and headway 2f out, one pace final furlong
steadied at start and behind, effort when not much room over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
held up behind leaders, ridden when not much room 2f out, soon behind
soon led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
took keen hold towards rear, pushed along halfway, hampered over 2f out, not recovered
in touch, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
towards rear, hampered 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
held up in mid-division, smooth progress on outside over 1f out, driven to lead approaching final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
As long as Smokin Beau gets off to a good start, he will take all the beating, with Royal Millennium, Orientor, Quito and Continent all to be considered for a place at least. Smokin Beau made his reappearance in a conditions event over five furlongs at Lingfield recently, and was noted finishing well after unusually missing the break. That run will have sharpened him up though and Nick Littmoden's flyer, who will be better suited to this galloping track, can quickly make amends under Kieren Fallon before being aimed at Newmarket's Abernant Stakes. He goes well with a bit of cut in the ground, and can make fitness tell over Royal Millennium. Mick Channon's charge won three of his six races last season and was third in the Prix de l'Abbaye. In addition he holds Quito and Jonny Ebeneezer on Newmarket running last term and will be a big danger to the selection if tuned up enough. Orientor is closely matched with Royal Millennium on past form, and any more rain would see him enter the equation. He and Continent were behind the Channon runner in France, and it has to be said that the latter did not get the best of runs. He raises his game for the big occasion, and is another not to leave out of calculations. Smokin Beau was sixth in this last year, but is expected to be a lot closer this time and gets the vote.
Orientor 28-1 Front rank, kept on final furlong, not pace of leaders, 6th of 15, 7l behind Var at Longchamp 5f Grp 1 gd in Oct.
Royal Millennium (IRE) Behind until ran on strongly from over 1f out, finished well, 4th of 14, 4l behind Silent Witness at Sha Tin 5f Grp 1 gf in Dec.
Quito (IRE) 11-2 Slowly into stride, held up, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 8l behind Te Quiero at Southwell 7f hcp (C1) fbs in Jan.
Continent 20-1 Rear early, some late headway, never dangerous, 10th of 15, 9l behind Var at Longchamp 5f Grp 1 gd in Oct.
High Voltage 16-1 Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakening when not much room over 2f out, last of 12, 25l behind Eisteddfod at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (C1) hvy in Sept.
Jonny Ebeneezer 5-1 Chased leaders over 5f, 10th of 12, 9l behind Master Robbie at Lingfield 7f hcp (C1) pol in Mar.
Smokin Beau 10-3 Dwelt, in rear, switched right 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2l behind Dancing Mystery at Lingfield 5f stk (B1) pol in Mar.
The Kiddykid (IRE) 6-1 In touch to 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 10l behind Star Valley at Deauville 6f Grp 3 hvy in Aug.
Delphie Queen (IRE) 5-1fav Raced far side, chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 15, 7l behind Ruby Rocket at Newmarket 6f lst fll stk (A1) sft in Oct.
La Cucaracha 9-2 Chased winner, driven to challenge and edged left over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Celtic Mill at Windsor 6f lst stk (A) gf in May.
Look Here's Carol (IRE) 12-1 Dwelt and always behind, 10th of 12, 20l behind Badminton at Ascot 7f lst fll stk (A1) gf in Sept.
Middlemarch (IRE) 14-1 Chased leaders early, ridden and weakened 4f out, virtually pulled up straight, tailed off, last of 8, 25l behind Grand Passion at Curragh 1m lst stk gd in Jun.
