led early, ridden over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish
mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders in 4th, ridden over 1f out, kept on
held up towards rear, effort over 2f out, never a factor
chased leader, challenged on bit well over 1f out, soon led, kept on and headed towards finish
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
All of those with experience have shown decent ability and a couple of top stables are doubly represented so this is probably an above-average novice event. Sir Michael Stoute saddles Thibaan, a half-brother to two winners, but FIRST RECEIVER may have the edge after a very promising third at Newmarket in July. The second has placed twice in Grade 3 company since and the fourth won at Newcastle last month. Bucephalus was an eye-catcher at York last month and Grand Bazaar has already placed at Haydock and Newcastle, though was odds-on in both races. First View has a penalty for beating more experienced rivals here last month but has plenty of scope for further improvement. Pharoah King is a Dirt-bred half-brother to two winners so is another newcomer to monitor.
First View (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, stayed on strongly to lead closing stages, won at Kempton 1m stks (4) pol in Oct beating Stanford (9-5) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Bucephalus (GER) 25-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Sword Beach (9-3) at York 1m stks (3) sft in Oct.
Carlos Felix (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) Steadied start, held up, hampered 6f out, keen after, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never on terms, 4th of 13, 3l behind Count Of Amazonia (9-2) at Newcastle 7f stks (4) pol in Oct.
Deposit (IRE) Sea The Stars gelding out of Interim Payment.
First Receiver 14-1 (9-0) Bumped start, help up mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Al Madhar (9-0) at Newmarket 7f mdn stks (3) gf in Jul.
Grand Bazaar 5-6fav (9-2) Held up, switched left and bumped rival 6f out, soon raced keenly, headway over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Count Of Amazonia (9-2) at Newcastle 7f stks (4) pol in Oct.
Grand Canal (IRE) Australia colt out of Loreto.
King Of The North (IRE) Kodiac gelding out of Scotch Bonnet.
Lord Of The Sky Dansili colt out of Cloud Castle.
Pharoah King (USA) American Pharoah colt out of Dancing Trieste.
Sir Dandy Sir Percy colt out of Cartoon.
Swooping Eagle (IRE) Free Eagle gelding out of Weekend Lady.
Thibaan (USA) War Front colt out of Lahudood.
Zambezi Magic 16-1 (9-5) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on, no impression on winner, almost grabbed 2nd, 3rd of 10, 4 1/4l behind Higher Kingdom (9-5) at Kempton 7f stks (5) pol in Oct.
