held up in rear but in touch, headway over 1f out, never on terms
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked leaders, raced wide of pack, led over 4f out, shaken up over 1f out, soon in command
broke well, soon chasing leaders, headway over 3f out, effort approaching final furlong, one pace
soon led, headed over 4f out, rallied over 1f out, no pace of winner
held up in touch, lost place over 2f out
Miblish and Red Seventy look up against it but any strong support for Solario Stakes third Eastern Sun on his first start since August could prove significant. The remaining trio are closely matched on last year's form as Lord Ofthe Shadows beat Leqqaa at Newmarket in October and they meet again on the same terms. Richard Hannon's charge also has the beating of MEHDI on collateral form from earlier last season, but the latter arrives today with a distinct fitness advantage having posted an improved effort to finish third in the UAE 2000 Guineas at Meydan in February. Brian Meehan's colt should come out best with a similar effort here and gets the vote.
Lord Ofthe Shadows (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) Keen tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 2yo stks (2) gd in Oct beating Leqqaa (9-3) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Mehdi (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Midfield, progress to chase leaders over 2f out, not quicken final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Kinglet (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) in Feb.
Eastern Sun (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Steadied start, close up in 4th, ridden over 2f out, kept on to go a never dangerous 3rd 1f out, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Talwar (9-0) at Sandown 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Aug.
Leqqaa (USA) 13-8fav (9-3) Led, gradually brought field to stand side, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Lord Ofthe Shadows (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2yo stks (2) gd in Oct.
Miblish 13-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 12th of 16, 15l behind Coupe de Ville (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo aut (2) gf in Oct.
Red Seventy 11-2 (9-8) In touch in rear, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 14l behind Lord Ofthe Shadows (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2yo stks (2) gd in Oct.