soon crossed over from wide draw to lead, pushed clear final furlong easily
held up, not much room on rail after 1f, headway on inside 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner
held up in rear, ridden on outside over 1f out, never a factor
in touch on outside, pushed along over 2f out, soon no impression on leaders
led early, chased winner, until ridden over 2f out and weakened rapidly
chased leaders, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, one pace after
chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out until driven inside final furlong, no impression
held up, one pace final 2f
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
TAQDEYR is the stand out pick in the finale, being preferred to Kilburn and Princely Hero. Lightly raced, the selection is Michael Jarvis' only runner on the night, and looking to follow up an easy success at Southwell in November. A 30 thousand Guineas purchase in the autumn, he's the least exposed with this just his fourth outing, but he looks an improving sort. He took time to settle last time out, but still won with plenty in hand over the same trip. He's entitled to improve further, but does have top-weight status to bear, having qualified for handicaps and being given a mark of 85. Kilburn has almost a stone in hand, and returned to the track recently after a 16 month lay-off with a narrow second and a win at Lingfield. He certainly seems more than capable of following up that at this sort of level. Princely Hero has shown some promise, but hasn't yet been able to follow up success on debut in England since coming from Ireland. More improvement's expected though. Most of these have won over course and or distance or both; we think that joining that elite group can be Taqdeyr.
Taqdeyr 2-5fav (9-3) Held up behind leaders, led on bridle 2f out, soon clear, comfortably, won at Southwell 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Nov beating Balata (9-3) by 7l, 11 ran.
Princely Hero (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden on outside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish, never able to challenge, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Soccerjackpot (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Woodcote Place 5-1 (9-2) In touch, chased winner over 2f out, no impression on winner at final furlong, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Noble Citizen (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Kirk Michael 12-1 (8-7) Mainly towards rear, 8th of 13, 10l behind Il Grande Maurizio (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp (3) pol in Oct.
King's Caprice 33-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden over 3f out, lost place quickly over 2f out, eased heavily over 1f out, last of 12, 29l behind Resplendent Nova (8-6) at Kempton 7f hcp (3) pol in Nov.
Oceana Blue 14-1 (8-4) Led, headed over 3f out, ridden to lead again over 1f out, no extra when headed just inside final furlong, 6th of 17, 3l behind Izzibizzi (8-4) at Newbury 7f fll hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Kilburn 7-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, quicken to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar beating Fine Ruler (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Purus (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Raced keenly in touch on inside, ridden to press leader 1f out, led well inside final furlong, caught final strides, 2nd of 9, nk behind Obe Royal (8-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Miss Mujanna 16-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Trafalgar Square (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcap (5) pol in Jan.
