chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
raced in last place, headway when not clear run 2f out, soon switched to outer, ridden and strong run to lead towards finish
in rear, headway on outer 2f out, soon hung left, ridden and kept on inside final furlong
soon tracked leader, joined leader 6f out until 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
soon prominent on outer, ridden and weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
fly jumped start, slowly away, in rear, came stands side over 2f out, never on terms
in touch, weakened over 2f out
made most until over 1f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed towards finish
Australia Day can be hard to pass when on song but we prefer KINGS DESTINY, although it's hard to confidently discount both Antinori and Thin Red Line. Michael Jarvis has his runners in good form and that enhances confidence in our selection, a horse who returned to action this year with a convincing win at Lingfield. A 7lb rise for that success doesn't appear harsh and this son of Dubai Destination has already shown a liking for fast ground, so providing he copes with the undulations of Epsom there's every reason to expect a bold show. Australia Day was last seen falling over timber in October but he's a horse who has won first time out so there's little to worry about in terms of fitness. The seven-year-old has also shown a liking for these conditions but winning this would require a career best, so providing the rest don't make life easy for Paul Webber's horse he's opposable. Antinori was well held off 97 when last racing on these shores but there's every indication he's improved for a winter in Dubai. With that in mind this lightly raced gelding must be considered, especially as his sole success here came over today's trip at Sandown. Thin Red Line cost current connections 80,000 guineas having previously been in the care of Ed Dunlop but he immediately repaid some of that cost with a decisive success at Chester. Up 8lbs and pitched into a better race, it'll take a career best to win this contest, but Michael Dods has his runners in fine form and it'd be folly to rule him out completely especially as he's shown a liking for conditions. Red Jade won well on his return at Doncaster but disappointed thereafter; Richard Fahey's charge might well be in the grip of the handicapper now and is opposed alongside Tartan Gunna who is an admirable type but this is the limit of his stamina. Leceile disappointed at Chester despite having plenty in her favour and arrives here under a cloud so we're prepared to take her on, with Kings Destiny our idea of the winner.
Kings Destiny 9-2 (8-13) Soon led, quickened over 2 lengths ahead 2f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, easily, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr beating Safari Sunup (8-13) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Fiery Lad (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Always in rear, 12th of 13, 17l behind Tranquil Tiger (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Group 3 (1) pol in Mar.
Antinori (IRE) 3-1fav (8-8) won at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-105 in Feb beating Marinous (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Australia Day (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Raced wide early, got over to lead 9f out, pushed 2 lengths clear 2f out, stayed on well until headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong, kept on gamely for 2nd, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Record Breaker (9-6) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gf in Sep.
Thin Red Line (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, challenged 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on well to go clear inside final furlong, readily, won at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in May beating Norwegian Dancer (8-10) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Leceile (USA) 6-1 (8-8) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 11l behind Sweet Lightning (8-8) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Tartan Gunna 15-2 (8-10) Mid-division, headway 3f out, effort when not clear run and switched right 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to go 3rd near finish, no impression with leading pair, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Imposing (8-12) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Victoria Sponge (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 9l behind Alsace Lorraine (9-7) at Ascot 1m fll hcp (2) gf in May.
Red Jade 7-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 22l behind Dangerous Midge (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Sand Tiger (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Tracked leading pair, driven 3f out, lost place 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 28l behind Imposing (8-12) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Swift Chap 10-1 (8-13) Led until over 3f out, soon lost place, weakening when hampered over 1f out, 6th of 9, 8l behind Moynahan (9-1) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in May.
Ramona Chase 17-2 (8-13) Prominent, took keen hold, outpaced over 3f out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 21l behind Marju King (8-10) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
