in touch, ridden along 2f out, soon weakened
always prominent, chased leader over 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden hands and heels inside final furlong, ran on
went left start, pulled hard, held up, weakened 3f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, unable to quicken well inside final furlong
tracked leader until over 3f out, weakening when not much room on inside over 2f out
switched left soon after start, held up, headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to press winner towards finish, always just held
slightly bumped start, held up in touch, improved 3f out, not quicken 1f out, one pace
Peter Chapple-Hyam is among a number of Newmarket trainers sending just one horse to the meeting, and we think he can land the spoils here with LIGHT SLEEPER, but challenges are expected from Captain Ellis and Royal Destination. All of these have run before, but the market can still guide us further. Light Sleeper's having his first run since runner up in a race at Warwick in September when he found the ground testing. He still ran on well, and the slight step up to a mile looks a positive. We don't know how he's trained on over the winter, but the yard's in good form, and support in the betting ring would encourage us further. A number of others are making their first appearance as a three year old, including Captain Ellis who looks the pick of Karl Burke's duo, and is the only runner to have an official rating. Runner up in his first three races, he was then well down the field in a listed race at Redcar. His other charge is Picturethatmoment who showed nothing on debut in May, but a couple of years ago he cost nearly half a million dollars . Royal Destination was another costly yearling, but has yet to impress. In the absence of much form we'll be guided by the betting, but initially our preference is for Light Sleeper.
Perez Prado (USA) 28-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, good headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong, 7th of 16, 11l behind Rattan (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo mdn (4) gd in May '08.
Royal Destination (IRE) 5-6fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, beaten 2f out, 11th of 14, 21l behind Summerstrand (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo mdn (4) gd in Jul.
Becky Quick (IRE) 50-1 (8-7) Prominent, ridden and weakened over 3f out, last of 8, 40l behind Foreign Rhythm (8-12) at Hamilton 5f 3yo mdn aut (6) gs in Jul.
Captain Ellis (USA) 33-1 (8-9) Always behind, 15th of 22, 14l behind Total Gallery (8-9) at Redcar 6f 2yo Listed auc stks (1) gd in Oct.
Elusive Muse 20-1 (9-3) In touch and keen, one pace final 2f, 5th of 14, 10l behind Mister Dee Bee (9-3) at Ripon 1m 3yo mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Espero (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Soon disputed, headed over 3f out, ridden in 5th 2f out, soon no extra and weakened, 8th of 15, 21l behind Beauty O' Gwaun (8-12) at Curragh 7f 2yo mdn hvy in Oct.
Light Sleeper 11-1 (9-0) Prominent, lost place over 5f out, headway 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Aahaykid (9-0) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Sep.
Picturethatmoment (USA) 66-1 (8-12) Ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 13l behind Sovereign Remedy (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd in May.
