set steady pace, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on
keen close up, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
always in rear, never a factor
tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, pushed along 2f out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
keen tracked leader, shaken up over 1f out, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
NonRunner
Crowned Eagle faces an easier task than when well beaten at Meydan earlier in the month but RED VERDON comes out best at the weights. Ed Dunlop’s charge has been gelded since struggling at the highest level at the end of last season but made a winning reappearance last year and is the one to beat if reproducing his second to Crystal Ocean in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot in June. Sir Chauvelin has a bit to find with the selection on running at York last term and the remainder face tough tasks on these terms though Willie John remains unexposed and is worth noting for any strong support in the betting.
Crowned Eagle 28-1 (9-0) 9th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Old Persian (8-11) at Meydan 1m 4f Grp 2 stks gd in Mar.
Red Verdon (USA) (9-0) 13th of 14, 21 3/4l behind Exultant (9-0) at Sha Tin 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Dec.
Sir Chauvelin 5-1 (9-3) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon lost place, well held over 1f out, 6th of 8, 6l behind Blakeney Point (9-3) at Chester 1m 4f lst stks (1) sft in Sep.
Tamleek (USA) 20-1 (9-7) Reluctant loading, held up towards rear, pushed along and some headway on outside over 3f out, ridden and weakened 3f out, 13th of 14, dist behind Londinium (8-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Aug.
Indianapolis (IRE) 28-1 (8-13) Tracked leader until ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Seafarer (8-11) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Willie John (9-2) last of 7, 16 1/4l behind Ghaiyyath (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Sep.
Dalgarno (FR) (9-3) 5th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Smart Whip (9-3) at Maisons-Laffitte 1m 4f stks gd in May.