held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden and effort over 2f out, one pace under pressure
tracked leader, led 4f out, soon ridden, headed over 2f out, no extra final furlong
led, headed 4f out, soon ridden and weakened
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out
held up in touch, headway 4f out, ridden and effort over 2f out, hung left and weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
A small, but select field for this extended 10-furlong contest with Songlark attempting to follow up for connections who took this last year with Beekeeper, but he is held by Tuning Fork on their running in the Group 2 Dante Stakes and although the latter has been disappointing since, he is reportedly showing much more sparkle on the gallops and he is worth taking a chance with to bounce back. Highly thought in the Spring, Henry Cecil's colt made a winning start to his career when landing an ordinary maiden at Haydock, before leaving that form well behind when chasing home Magistretti in the Dante Stakes, having cut out much of the running. Made odds on to follow up in a Listed race next time, he was ridden with more restraint, which clearly didn't suit as well, but as Cecil's team was under a cloud at the time it would probably pay to not to read too much into that. However, he comes into this fresh and well after a break and if back to the form he showed in the Dante, must take all the beating here. Songlark, not seen since disappointing in the Italian Derby, will be suited by a return to this trip, but he does have a little to find with the selection, while Rawyaan, a progressive colt last year, has struggled somewhat this term and looks to have something to prove at present. Bonecrusher looked an improved performer in the first-time blinkers at Newmarket last time and must not be underestimated under his ideal conditions. Goblet Of Fire doesn't look good enough at this level, but Far Lane has every chance on his second to Sabre D'Argent at Haydock last time. Using the latter as a yardstick, that run gives him the beating of Tuning Fork, who was well turned over by Sabre D'Agent at Headquarters back in May, but as the selection was below his best then, not too much should be read into that effort. So, in what is a trappy contest, Tuning Fork gets the vote to return to the form he showed in the Spring.
