tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on well closing stages, never reached winner
tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
led, headed when hung right over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
held up in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on well
raced very freely in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, faded final furlong
steadied start, pulled very hard in rear, headway inside final furlong, ran on, never nearer
behind, soon outpaced, struggling halfway, soon beaten
awkward start, held up in midfield, headway on inside well over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, chased leaders, effort over 2f out, stayed on well close home, never on terms
The Godolphin representatives, Deerfield and New Strategy, ended last year with maiden victories and it's anybody's guess which will come out best of that pair. Lear's Rock is upped in class off a higher mark as he bids for a hat-trick while it was heavy ground when Cosmic Ray won at Windsor in October. AMERICAN ARTIST got off the mark at Goodwood in September with a subsequent winner back in third. Roger Varian's colt may well be good enough on his handicap debut so gets a tentative vote.
Lear's Rock (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Made all, ridden clear final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating Little Lord Nelson (9-4) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
New Strategy (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Made all, edged left and shaken up well inside final furlong, unchallenged, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct beating Greatest Hits (9-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
Swift Approval (IRE) 11-4fav (9-3) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 5f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Faraajh (9-1) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (5) in Oct.
Them And Us (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Took keen hold tracking leading pair until 2f out, soon ridden and not quicken, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd last strides, not reach leading duo, 3rd of 6, 1l behind Bow And Arrow (9-5) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
American Artist (IRE) 15-8fav (9-5) Tracked leader, led approaching final furlong, pushed along and ran on, readily, won at Goodwood 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sep beating Quick Defence (9-5) by 1l, 10 ran.
Cosmic Ray 4-1fav (9-5) Pulled hard, soon led, narrowly headed 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, rallied under pressure into 2nd over 1f out, stayed on to lead last 50 yards, won at Windsor 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Oct beating Little Riggs (8-13) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Deerfield 15-8fav (9-5) Took keen hold tracking leaders, effort on outside under pressure into 2nd 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Thirsk 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Aug beating Landwade Lad (9-5) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
The Carbonator (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Prominent, 2nd halfway, ridden under 2f out, under pressure and no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Pullman Brown (8-13) at Tipperary 1m 1f 3yo hcp sft.
Thorkhill Star (IRE) 33-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, outpaced towards rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 8, 8l behind Maftoon (8-9) at Chelmsford City 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Mar.
Who Dares Wins (IRE) 11-4 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on to go 3rd place inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Gothic Empire (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5).
