led, ridden 2f out, soon headed and outpaced by winner, no impression and lost 2nd approaching final furlong
in touch on outside, weakened 3f out,
held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leader, ridden and close up over 2f out, flashed tail under pressure and weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, held up, effort on outside over 2f out, led inside final 2f, edged right but quickened clear, ridden out
held up, effort on outside and driven 2f out, some headway final furlong but no impression
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, soon well behind
in touch, effort on outside 2f out, stayed on same pace over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along and unable to quicken 2f out, ridden to chase winner approaching final furlong but no impression
From a shortlist here containing Proclamation, Tucker and Stetchworth Prince, we will side with Proclamation. Proclamation travelled well for a long way in the Dante last time and the drop in trip should suit this highly-regarded colt, who can go well. Rebuttal is the one to beat on official ratings following his excellent second to Ad Valorem in the Middle Park Stakes on his final run last season. The market should tell us more as he steps up in trip but he is respected. His trainer thinks the world of Coeur Courageux, although he was out of his depth in the French Guineas last time. Mogaamer's first turf run last time was a little disappointing, although his stable is in better form now and he had looked decent on the all-weather before that. Stetchworth Prince's Free Handicap third marked him down as an improved performer this season and he too is respected, while Tucker has kept on improving this year and, having preceded his good Newmarket win with a fair run in the 2,000 Guineas, he has to be granted plenty of respect too. Of the others, Liakora is among those that should progress this year but, in keeping with the others, has to improve on the bare level of form shown so far. This spins us back to the selection, which is Proclamation.
Coeur Courageux (FR) 33-1 (9-2) 13th of 15, 14l behind Shamardal (9-2) at Longchamp 1m Grp 1 (1) sft.
Industrial Spirit 16-1 (8-12) Behind, driven and headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 7, 5l behind Tucker (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo stk (4) gf.
Liakoura (GER) 6-1 (9-5) Held up last, outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, driven out, won at Salisbury 1m nov stk (D2) gd in Sept beating Sun Kissed (9-5) by 1l, 5 ran.
Mogaamer (USA) 7-1 (8-11) Keen, tracked leaders, stumbled over 2f out, not handle dip and lost action, ridden and stayed inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 6l behind Rocamadour (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 1f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in Apr.
Proclamation (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Steadied at start, took keen hold to be in touch, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, last of 6, 27l behind Motivator (8-11) at York 1m 2f 3yo Grp 2 (1) sft.
Rebuttal (USA) 9-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway to chase winner over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Ad Valorem (8-11) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (A1) gd in Oct.
Solent (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 16th of 19, 15l behind Footstepsinthesand (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf in Apr.
Stetchworth Prince 6-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden and outpaced 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Kamakiri (8-10) at Newmarket 7f lst hcp (1) gf in Apr.
Tucker 4-5fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, not much room over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Newmarket 1m 3yo stk (4) gf beating Chrysander (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
