in touch far side, driven and kept on final 2f
in touch in group towards stands side, ridden over 2f out, driven and weakened over 1f out
mid-division far side, never troubled leaders
refused to race, took no part
mid-division stands side, hung right and one pace final furlong
held up and keen far side, lost place over 2f out, eased when beaten
in rear far side, effort over 2f out, never troubled leaders
led centre group until driven and one pace final 2f
chased leaders far side, driven and lost place over 1f out
held up in touch far side, effort 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
in rear far side, smooth headway to lead over 2f out, ridden out final furlong
led stands side, driven and kept on one pace final furlong
in rear centre group, outpaced 2f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders far side, driven and kept on final furlong, no impression on winner
in rear stands side, never a factor
in rear far side, headway over 2f out, no impression inside final furlong
mid-division far side until lost place over 2f out
in touch far side, driven and one pace final 2f
Nonrunner
EXPRESSO STAR can justify his cramped odds but we can also expect to see big runs from Swop and Huzzah. The favourite is dropping back from ten furlongs which is a cause of concern for some but he has always shown plenty of speed and we don't envisage it being a problem although his draw in nine could throw up a few difficulties. He progressed well throughout the course of the season and followed a facile win in a Hamilton maiden with impressive successes at Nottingham. It will be disappointing if he doesn't make his mark in Black type races by the time the season's out and he can take the first step towards that by winning this. Swop is a rare runner in this race for Luca Cumani and, as such, commands considerable respect. He didn't make his debut until he was four so could still be improving and he comes into the race on the back of a successful campaign in the UAE. He has picked up a penalty as a result but his trainer isn't prone to leaving such things to chance and he should go well. Huzzah has been a mover for this race in the ante-post market and the Hills team has started the season well. He has run well over this course and distance before but needs to have improved from three to four as he appeared held from this sort of mark at the backend of last season. Stablemate Zaahid and Don't Panic were both well backed last year but failed to make the cut. The campaigns of both runners finished on disappointing notes but both are worth a cursory glance as is Benandonner who appeals as a sort that could run into the frame. It's difficult to envisage him winning though and we expect that honour to go to Expresso Star.
Blythe Knight (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 1l behind King of Dixie (9-0) at Kempton 1m stk (3) pol.
Swop (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) won at Nad Al Sheba 7f hcp 0-110 gd in Feb beating Ragheed (9-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Eva's Request (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) 7th of 9, 10l behind My Central (9-0) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gf in Feb.
Don't Panic (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Refused to race refused in race won by Virtual (9-0) at Newmarket 1m lst stk (1) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Docofthebay (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Slowly away, pulled hard in rear, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 7th of 12, 7l behind Scintillo (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) pol.
Mia's Boy 20-1 (9-4) Raced centre, mid-division, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 23rd of 28, 25l behind Tazeez (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gf in Oct.
Royal Power (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) last of 14, well behind Snaafy (8-7) at Nad Al Sheba 7f hcp gf in Feb.
Whistledownwind 9-4 (9-0) Close up, ridden 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Al Muheer (9-0) at Lingfield 1m stk (3) pol in Feb.
Huzzah (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Led centre until groups merged over 4f out, remained prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 28, 12l behind Tazeez (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gf in Oct.
Dream Lodge (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Raced centre, held up, stayed on under pressure from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 9th of 28, 10l behind Tazeez (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gf in Oct.
Flipando (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Held up in mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on well final furlong to chase leader, led towards finish, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) pol beating Ace of Hearts (9-4) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Expresso Star (USA) 4-9fav (9-2) Steadied at start and held up, smooth headway 2f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ran on final furlong, won at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Oct beating Suits Me (9-7) by 3l, 11 ran.
Philario (IRE) 4-1co-fav (9-3) Led narrowly, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 8l behind Ceremonial Jade (9-3) at W'hampton 7f lst stk (1) pol.
Cobo Bay 14-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, every chance 2f out, soon driven and beaten, 5th of 14, 9l behind Slugger O'Toole (8-7) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp (2) sft in Sept.
Charm School 11-2 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway and not clear run over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 21, 3/4l behind Invincible Force (8-7) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Nov.
Zaahid (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Towards rear stand side, pushed along halfway, ridden and one pace final 2f, 11th of 29, 5l behind Furnace (8-11) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gd in Sept.
Titan Triumph 2-1fav (8-10) Held up in last place, switched right well over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb beating Majuro (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ace of Hearts 11-1 (9-4) Pressed leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on gamely from over 1f out, no extra and headed towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Flipando (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Bolodenka (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Always rear group, never in contention, 10th of 13, 9l behind Flipando (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Benandonner (USA) 11-1 (9-3) Close up on outside, ridden and effort 2f out, no impression over 1f out, weakened, 4th of 7, 7l behind Ceremonial Jade (9-3) at W'hampton 7f lst stk (1) pol.
Lady Deauville (FR) (8-10) behind Court Canibal (8-11) at Saint-Cloud 1m 2f , 11 ran.
European Dream (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Raced stand side, held up, ridden and effort over 2f out, never on terms, 13th of 21, 14l behind Smokey Oakey (8-9) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar '08.
