slowly into stride, driven forward and soon prominent, led over 2f out, ran on strongly
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never able to challenge
in touch, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never a threat
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, never on terms
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon lost place
steadied start, held up in rear, beaten 3f out
tracked leader, effort over 2f out, switched right to challenge over 1f out, kept on well, not pace of winner
held up, never dangerous
hampered start, held up in touch, headway over 2f out, no impression
went left start, led, headed over 2f out, weakened
Richard Hannon has two entries - the Coolmore owned DAYS OF GLORY was ridden by Rossa Ryan when comfortably landing a Windsor maiden and an opening mark of 84 may prove lenient. Stable companion Richie Valens showed plenty of promise in two runs last season and was staying on determinedly when a close third over a mile at Lingfield last month. Forest Of Dean easily won at Newcastle in February and was left with plenty to do over this trip at Redcar before running on. Felix scored over a mile at Yarmouth for Luca Cumani and has joined the right yard to exploit his middle-distance credentials while War Eagle has changed stables after landing a Wolverhampton handicap for John Gosden. None of the remainder can be dismissed in what looks a very competitive opener.
Forest Of Dean 3-1cfav (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, nearest finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Sameem (9-5) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Felix 5-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, challenged over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, held by winner final 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Sam Cooke (9-0) at York 1m stks (3) gd in Oct.
Days Of Glory (CAN) 13-8fav (9-5) Held up in mid-division, headway between horses into 2nd inside final 3f, shaken up over 1f out, led final 150 yards, stayed on well, won at Windsor 1m 2f stks (5) gd in Apr beating Will of Iron (9-5) by 2l, 12 ran.
Billy No Mates (IRE) 7-2fav (9-7) Chased leader, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Iconic Choice (9-5) at Ayr 1m (2) hvy in Sep.
Venedegar (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Held up, pushed along 3f out, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Good Birthday (9-6) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
War Eagle (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Prominent, led over 2f out, edged right well over 1f out, edged left and in command well inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f (5) pol in Nov beating Calling The Wind (9-11) by 1l, 6 ran.
Ritchie Valens (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, effort inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Mohtarrif (9-2) at Lingfield 1m stks (5) pol in Mar.
Spencers Son (IRE) 9-4jfav (9-4) Chased leader, pushed along over 2f out, lost 2nd 2f out, chased leaders, kept on same pace inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Mums Hope (8-11) at Kempton 7f stks (4) pol in Nov.
Cormier (IRE) 40-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 8 1/4l behind American Graffiti (9-2) at Newcastle 1m 2f stks (5) pol in Feb.
Whenapoet 20-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Balladeer (9-4) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Apr.
