in touch, pushed along when switched slightly right 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
dwelt, held up in last trio, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong but never dangerous
made all, clear over 1f out, ran on
in touch, lost place 3f out, well beaten over 2f out
held up in last trio, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased winner, outpaced by that rival over 1f out, ran on final 100 yards, no impression
pulled hard in touch, ridden well over 1f out, soon weakened
dwelt, raced in last trio, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, drifted right over 1f out, never on terms
GEORGE BENJAMIN has bumped into two smart sorts to date and now ridden by Adrian Nicholls he is taken to come out on top; the shortlist is primarily made up of Lowdown, Machine Gun Kelly, Red Badge and Viking Dancer. The selection is not bred to come into his own until the age of three, however he looks precocious enough to strike this season. Adrian Nicholls takes over in the saddle from apprentice Nicky Lawes and a repeat of his third to Chaperno must see him go close for a yard who are in fine form and who also have a 100% strike-rate with their juveniles here in recent seasons. Lowdown has shown ability in two starts and the drop in trip on better ground should suit, whilst Marcus Tregoning is not renowned for juvenile winners but he has won this race in the past and relies on Ilston Lord and Aetos this afternoon. Machine Gun Kelly cost 52,000 guineas and his dam (from the family of Derby winner Authorized) was a juvenile winner herself. One Good Emperor represents a yard who can produce a newcomer however by his trainers' own admission the stable have been fairly quiet this year and he has been buying in a different type of late-maturing horse. Red Badge bumped into a smart one at Windsor last time and he has shaped with plenty of promise on both of his runs, whilst the same applies to Sheer Force although he shaped last time as if he wanted another furlong. Newcomer Viking Spirit, a half-brother to a selection of decent sprinters, must be considered a big threat if the market agrees on his debut, especially as his dam was very precocious herself. A fascinating finale but with the stats in his favour we will plump for George Benjamin to come out on top.
Aetos Royal Applause colt out of Hagwah.
George Benjamin 14-1 (8-10) Slight lead, headed over 1f out, outpaced by winner final furlong, lost well held 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Chaperno (9-3) at York 6f 2yo mdn aut (4) gf.
Ilston Lord (IRE) One Cool Cat colt out of Canouan.
Lowdown (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Nideeb (9-3) at Yarmouth 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft.
Machine Gun Kelly (IRE) Johannesburg gelding out of West Brooklyn.
One Good Emperor (IRE) Antonius Pius colt out of Break Of Day.
Red Badge (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Prominent, ridden and one pace over 1f out, no chance with easy winner when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Buzzword (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd.
Sheer Force (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, challenged going well 2f out, soon edged left and ridden, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Trailblazing (9-3) at Ascot 6f 2yo mdn (3) gd.
Viking Dancer Danehill Dancer colt out of Blue Siren.
