dwelt, in rear, some headway under pressure 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, effort 2f out, could only stay on at same pace and lost fourth close home
slightly better than mid-division, niggled over 2f out, under pressure well over 1f out, stayed on really well final furlong
settled in second, pushed along over 2f out, soon faded out of contention
towards rear, ridden over 2f out but little response
held up in touch, asked for effort 2f out, headway over 1f out, quickened to lead close home
held up at rear, pushed along over 2f out but unable to make any headway
mid-division, headway 2f out, not quicken final furlong but stayed on same pace
led, pushed along inside final 2f, kept going well but headed close home
Saeed bin Suroor trained the winner in 2019 and CHIEF OF STAFF may prove good enough this time. A half-brother to Group 1 winner Blair House among others, the Dante entry is partnered by Oisin Murphy and is preferred to stablemate Long Tradition and another newcomer in Thunder Power. Lexington Knight has placed in both starts to date, including at Newmarket last time, and that looks stronger form than Leisurewear’s second at Kempton. Skyrunner never figured on last year’s debut but better is expected this season.
Long Tradition (IRE) Shamardal colt out of Irish History.
Chief Of Staff Dark Angel colt out of Patroness.
Lexington Knight (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Raced wide prominent, pushed along over 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Carolus Magnus (9-0) at Newmarket 7f mdn stks (4) gd in Apr.
Pallas Lord (IRE) Dandy Man gelding out of Nutshell.
Progressive Ez (IRE) Gutaifan gelding out of Cuilaphuca.
Skyrunner (IRE) 15-2 (9-5) Edged left leaving stalls, slightly worse than midfield, pushed before 2f out and some headway, ridden before final furlong, stayed on without threatening leading pair, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Statement (9-0) at Newbury 6f mdn stks (4) hvy in Oct.
St George's Bay Cable Bay colt out of Basque Beauty.
Thunder Power (IRE) Night Of Thunder colt out of Paris To Peking.
Leisurewear (IRE) 10-11fav (9-0) Prominent, pushed along over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon headed, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Bakr (9-0) at Kempton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
