tracked leading pair, ridden over 2f out, no impression when pushed right and bumped over 1f out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, no impression when lost 3rd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, soon eased when no chance
soon pushed along in rear and detatched, tailed off
chased leading trio, ridden over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, no chance with leading duo
held up in 6th, headway to 3rd halfway, effort on outside 2f out, driven to narrow lead over 1f out, stayed on under pressure, headed post
tracked leader, led 2f out, edged left soon after, narrowly headed over 1f out, rallied gamely to regain lead post
started slowly, took keen hold in 7th on outside, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
held up in rear, struggling in 7th over 3f out
held up in 5th, 6th and pushed along over 3f out, headway under pressure when not much room and squeezed through over 1f out, kept on to modest 4th final furlong
started very slowly, pushed aling in rear 6f out, 8th and struggling over 3f out, tailed off
On paper this doesn't appear a strong maiden so it makes sense to side with newcomer COCKNEY ahead of Blitzed and Mecox Bay although the marked will as ever tell us more. Mark Johnston's three-year-old is out of a mare who won some quality races over this sort of trip whilst his sire Theatrical won the Breeders' Cup Turf, so there's every reason to expect him to be capable of winning races. This looks a suitable starting point and providing the market makes positive noises he's well worth siding with under Joe Fanning, despite the fact his trainer hasn't had a three-year-old winner here in the past five seasons from 14 tries. Blitzed started 125/1 for his debut in what looked a fair Newmarket maiden but belied those odds to finish sixth, one place ahead of a gelding now rated 81. With the winner of the contest rated 83 the form is working out and this contest is easier, so if Mark Johnston's charge isn't primed to win then he could pick up the pieces. Mecox Bay travelled well on his second start at Sandown before being outpaced and this step up in trip is therefore a concern ahead of his seasonal return. That said, he had little chance with the winner on form that day and should find this easier, so this son of Noverre merits respect. Plan A is another newcomer to note in the betting but the yard wouldn't be known for debut winners whilst Masteeat needs to leave his rating of 44 behind to score at the fourth time of asking. With few of these making serious appeal we'll side with Mark Johnston's newcomer Cockney.
Gearbox (IRE) 100-1 (9-12) Held up, never near leaders, 11th of 13, 15l behind Sajjhaa (8-7) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gd in May.
Sirdave 14-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 3f out, soon no impression, 8th of 10, 18l behind Valiant Knight (8-13) at Windsor 1m 2f mdn auc stks (5) gf in May.
Ancestral Dream Dubai Destination colt out of B Beautiful.
Blitzed 125-1 (9-0) Raced centre, slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 18, 6l behind Quick Wit (9-0) at Newmarket 7f mdn stks (4) gd in Oct.
Cockney (IRE) Theatrical colt out of Cumulate.
Mecox Bay (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Waseet (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Aug.
Mujdy (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) In touch in rear, ridden and ran green 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 5, 31l behind Gomrath (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (4) pol in Mar.
Plan A (IRE) Le Vie Dei Colori gelding out of Heres The Plan.
Affirmable 40-1 (8-12) Unseated rider and ran loose before start, held up last, still well behind 3f out, effort on outside 2f out, pushed along and ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 7th of 14, 7l behind Heavenly Dawn (8-12) at Windsor 1m fll mdn stks (5) gd in May.
Masteeat (USA) 11-1 (8-10) Mid-division, not much room 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, never near to challenge, 4th of 9, 1l behind Royal Cheer (8-10) at Catterick 6f fll mdn auc stks (6) gd in May.
