mid-division, slightly hampered over 4f out, headway on inside over 3f out, weakened 2f out
steadied start, held up, headway 2f out, ridden and edged left 1f out, kept on, always held
prominent, ridden well over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, every chance 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
led 4f, weakened 2f out
took keen hold, tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, left inside final furlong, ran on
behind, headway 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out and inside final furlong kept on
held up towards rear, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Miss Lucifer gets a narrow vote over Ekhtiaar, Jaasoos and Manchurian in the finale. Miss Lucifer was having her first outing since October when having to settle for second best behind the progressive Regal Parade at Newmarket three weeks ago. She set a decent gallop until headed, will come on for the run, and a decent effort by her recent conqueror in the Silver Bowl earlier today will add to our confidence. It is difficult to know just what Ekhtiaar achieved when scrambling home in a maiden on the Lingfield Polytrack last October, and he starts life in handicap company having to give weight to most of his rivals here. Jaasoos posted a fine second in the Dubai Duty Free Handicap at Newbury on his return and as long as conditions do not turn soft, he should have a major say as well. Manchurian is another worthy candidate but top weight and lack of a recent outing will surely prove a hindrance, with preference much for Miss Lucifer.
Manchurian 20-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, in touch, ridden 3f out, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 20l behind Caldra (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Miss Lucifer (FR) 5-1 (8-10) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Regal Parade (8-11) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (2) gf.
Soviet Palace (IRE) 66-1 (8-8) Led to 4f out, stayed prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 5l behind Phoenix Tower (8-11) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Jaasoos (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Took keen hold, with leaders, led 4f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, soon outpaced, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Phoenix Tower (8-11) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Osteopathic Remedy (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Shmookh (8-4) at York 7f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Lovelace 11-4fav (8-7) Prominent, ridden to challenge over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Longquan (8-13) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp (3) gs.
Love On Sight 11-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 10th of 14, 10l behind Yaqeen (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 3yo mdn fll (4) gf in Apr.
Copper King 12-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden, every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Annemasse (9-3) at Chester 1m 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Ekhtiaar 4-9fav (9-4) Close up, tracked leading pair 2f out, challenge and hung left final furlong, ran on to lead final strides, won at Lingfield 7f nov stk (4) pol in Oct beating Deadshot Keen (9-2) by a hd, 6 ran.
Cesc 12-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 7l behind Phoenix Tower (8-11) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Cheap Street 12-1 (9-1) Chased leaders over 4f, 5th of 7, 7l behind Longquan (8-13) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp (3) gs.
Lunces Lad (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Behind, pushed along halfway, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Regal Parade (8-11) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (2) gf.
Rabbit Fighter (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Pulled hard in touch, lost place well over 2f out, 10th of 12, 34l behind Metaphoric (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Apr.
