mid-division, effort over 3f out, soon beaten
in touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, switched right and ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
led, chased along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on until headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden and stayed on same pace final 2f
towards rear, never near to challenge
tracked leaders, effort over 3f out, outpaced final 2f
held up, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
Likely favourite Sir Sidney has had plenty of chances so narrow preference is for San Hernando, who gets the vote over Exquisite Affair. The selection needs to step up on previous efforts to win this but is open to improvement after just four previous starts and ran his best race to date last time when upped in trip at Yarmouth. Out of a half-sister to Storming Home, San Hernando has the assistance of Kevin Darley and is taken to open his account. Sir Sidney looks fully exposed now and seemed not to stay this trip at Kempton last time so a bigger danger may be Exquisite Affair. Bred to be suited to staying trips being related to Witness Box and Xellance, she was far from disgraced behind the useful El Laoob at Newbury over an inadequate 1m2f earlier this month. The form of the John Dunlop stable is a worry though, as it is for stable companion Wadud. The remainder make limited appeal in a race that should go to San Hernando.
