held up towards rear, headway on rail when badly hampered over 1f out, headway soon after, went 3rd last, not quite pace to reach leading pair
steadied start, held up in rear, headway inside final 2f, challenged for well held 3rd inside final furlong, until no extra, final 100 yards
held up in 5th, edged right over 2f out, went 5 lengths 2nd 2f out, until weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led over 4f out, shaken up in 5 lengths clear over 2f out, weakening towards finish, just lasted
tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along over 3f out, driven over 3f out and soon beaten
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
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
led until headed over 4f out, pushed along and lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened and eased over 1f out
held up in 6th, pushed along and no response 3f out, soon struggling
The feature race is ultra competitive as you'd expect, and favourites have a good record in it, and from a shortlist of TRANQUIL TIGER, Ordnance Row and Charlie Farnsbarns, we'll be supporting the first named. Henry Cecil's charge is having his first run since being behind Charlie Farnsbarns in the autumn in a Newmarket listed race. He'd previously won over this course and distance, and if stripping fit for his first run of the year could be leading these home. He likes to be at the vanguard early on, and that can be a positive here. Charlie Farnsbarns was something of a shock winner of the Darley, and hasn't been able to repeat it since. He drops back in trip after fading when tried over a mile and a half at Ascot recently, which should give connections more optimism. Ordnance Row won a listed race at Windsor last time out, and is entered for the Sandown Eclipse in July. He's never won beyond a mile though, and this trip could find him out. Of those likely to be at a biggish price compared with the market leaders, John Gosden's Made To Ransom looks interesting. Lightly raced, with this just his third run, he made all to land a Chepstow maiden earlier in the month. He didn't have too much to beat then and this may be a step up in class too far, but any support in the market should be noted. However, our preference is for Tranquil Tiger.
Charlie Farnsbarns (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon no chance with winner, faded towards finish, 4th of 6, 5l behind Duncan (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f Listed stks (1) gf.
Once More Dubai (USA) 15-2 (9-0) Settled rear; ran on final 500m; never able to challenge, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Presvis (9-2) at Nad Al Sheba(UAE) 1m 2f hcap gd in Feb.
Ordnance Row 15-8fav (9-2) Held up behind leaders, effort going well on rail to lead approaching 2f out, well in control final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Windsor 1m Listed stks (1) gf beating Pinpoint (9-2) by 2l, 7 ran.
Tranquil Tiger 15-2 (9-3) Led, ridden 2f out, driven and headed entering final furlong, no extra close home, 5th of 14, 3l behind Charlie Farnsbarns (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Yahrab (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Chased leader, lost 2nd and short of room well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 6l behind Doctor Fremantle (9-0) at Chester 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Halicarnassus (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Held up, ridden 3f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Unnefer (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f stks (2) gf.
Illustrious Blue 8-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway and 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on again inside final furlong, did not trouble leaders, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Spanish Moon (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo Listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Made To Ransom 8-13fav (9-13) Made all, ran on well, won at Chepstow 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf beating Decision (8-12) by 5l, 12 ran.
Pinpoint (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Held up, pushed along 3f out, headway and squeezed through over 1f out, soon hanging left, went 2nd entering final furlong and stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Ordnance Row (9-2) at Windsor 1m Listed stks (1) gf.
Perks (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden straight, no impression from 2f out, 4th and kept on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 7, 7l behind Curtain Call (9-1) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 3 hvy.
