tracked leader, challenged from over 2f out, hard driven drew level and leaned on 2nd inside final furlong, won on the nod
settled last, ridden over 2f out, soon no chance
led and keen, edged right and not handle bend entering home straight, pushed along 3f out, joined and pressed from over 2f out, rider not much room to use whip throughout final furlong, just pipped
tracked leading pair, pushed along well over 2f out, well held in 3rd from over 1f out
A small field where none can be ignored, but preference is for DREAMSPEED who can put his experience of downhill tracks to good use with a win over Prompter and Togiak. Andrew Balding has his horses in good form and this Barathea colt looks a potential star for the stable this year. He was early to strike last season with a win on his debut at Sandown before finding himself a little out of his depth at Goodwood behind Extension. However his next two starts suggested that he can cut it at the top level this year and the step up in trip is expected to suit with his dam a ten furlong winner at three. Gumnd broke his maiden tag at Wolverhampton last month but he has plenty to find here on official ratings. However his trainer is a master at springing a surprise and there may be more to come with the step back up in trip in his favour. Prompter is a more obvious danger however with a solid level of Group Three form to his name already. He went close on his debut last year so may not be the hardest horse to get fit and this son of Motivator should relish the longer trip today. As we know his sire won at the track (2005 Derby winner) and a bold bid is expected. Togiak completes the field; he has a few lengths to find with Prompter on their run behind Morana in the Autumn Stakes last October but he looks the sort to improve as a three-year-old and he shapes as if this trip will suit although many of his relatives are sprinters. Not an easy puzzle to solve but preference is for Dreamspeed.
Dreamspeed (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, soon unable to quicken edged right over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 8l behind Joshua Tree (8-12) at Ascot 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.
Gumnd (IRE) 18-1 (8-12) Dwelt, took keen hold, raced wide intouch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 13l behind Aldovrandi (8-12) at Kempton 1m cnd stks (3yo) (2) pol.
Prompter 15-2 (9-0) Led after 1f, ridden and strongly challenged from well over 1f out, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 8, hd behind Morana (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Togiak (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 5th of 8, 5l behind Morana (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
