tracked leaders, short lived effort over 2f out, soon weakened, eased when beaten
tracked leaders, slightly outpaced over 2f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, just failed
held up, ridden and not clear run briefly over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
made all, stayed on under strong pressure final furlong, just held on
held up behind leaders, effort 3f out, one pace from over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
The best race on the card by a country furlong this, and MAD RUSH gets our support, ahead of Crime Scene and Sagara. Luca Cumani's runner is rated only a pound behind Crime Scene; there may be concern though that he's shown in the past he needs a race to get himself tuned up. He'll be contesting group races at the Curragh this summer, and this could be something of a warm up. Crime Scene has come back to Godolphin, having been switched between a variety of trainers over the years. He had a successful winter in Dubai, and has more than paid his way for all of them. However he may not be suited by Goodwood, as on his only previous run here, which was a listed race over this trip, he came last of 12. Sagara looks to be the second string, but has some good entries for later in the year. Illustrious Blue and Halicarnassus are regular rivals; this will be their sixth meeting, with Illustrious Blue leading three two on their head to heads, although neither's ever won against the other. Unleashed has been tried in this sort of company before without coming close to landing a blow, and may find himself outclassed again. It's a very competitive contest, but we think the bookies could face a Mad Rush to pay out on the winner.
Crime Scene (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Mid-division on rail; smooth progress to lead 400m out; ran on; headed near line, 2nd of 11, nk behind Eastern Anthem (9-6) at Nad Al Sheba(UAE) 1m 4f hcp 0-95 fst in Feb.
Halicarnassus (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Chased leaders in 4th, driven and headway on outside well over 1f out, went 5 lengths 2nd over 1f out, closed as winner tired towards finish, not quite get up, 2nd of 9, nk behind Tranquil Tiger (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gf in May.
Illustrious Blue 12-1 (8-12) Steadied start, held up in rear, driven, headway on outside and edged right over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Tranquil Tiger (9-1) at Goodwood 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gf in May.
Mad Rush (USA) fav (8-5) 7th of 5, 6l behind Viewed (8-4) at Flemington(AUS) 2m G1 hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Sagara (USA) 13-2 (9-0) Held up, switched left and ridden 3f out, steady progress from 2f out, stayed on, went 2nd final strides, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Veracity (9-0) at Newmarket 2m Grp 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Unleashed (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Mid-division, under pressure over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 8, 26l behind Tastahil (8-12) at Newbury 1m 5f Listed stks (1) sft in May.
