in touch, pushed along over 2f out, outpaced and soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, no chance with winner, weakened quickly over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up rear, some headway over 2f out, kept on to take modest 4th final furlong, never in contention
made all, led and set good pace, quickened well over 2f out and soon clear, edged left over 1f out, driven out, impressive
held up behind, pushed along well over 2f out, no progress and never dangerous final 2f
stumbled leaving stalls, took keen hold in mid-division, kept on to take 3rd 1f out, no chance with leading duo
behind, headway over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner final furlong
It could pay to side with the EXCEPTIONAL ART here and he gets the nomination over Set The Trend and Cloudy Start. The selection went close in this grade last month at Doncaster and he followed that up by winning a competitive handicap at Haydock last month. He has a touch of class and he should run a big race. Set The Trend finished second on heavy ground at Haydock last time out but he had previously won a handicap over this course and distance when he got the better of Antinori. He is unexposed but he has more on his plate today and the yard are not exactly firing on all cylinders at present. Cloudy Start is a smart colt and he won a handicap in good style at Epsom earlier in the month. This is a leap in class but there could be more to come and he has to be respected. Alkhafif made a pleasing impression on his debut at Newmarket over 6f and there should be more to come over this longer trip. He is one to note in the market, but for the winner we will stick with the classy Exceptional Art.
Alkhafif 5-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, led just inside final furlong, driven out, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) fm in May '08 beating Weald Park (9-3) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Bonnie Charlie 6-1 (8-12) In rear, trying to improve when badly bumped over 2f out, strong run inside final furlong, gaining fast on winner near finish, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Evasive (8-12) at Newbury 7f 2yo stks G3 (1) sft in Oct.
Bridge Of Gold (USA) 6-1 (8-12) Dwelt, tracked leaders in 4th, pushed along 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, found no extra inside final furlong, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 6, 2 1/4l behind Border Patrol (9-3) at Sandown 1m 3yo lst stk (1) gd in May.
Cloudy Start 10-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, driven and kept on well, won at Epsom Downs 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (2) gd beating Shamwari Lodge (9-8) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Exceptional Art 12-1 (9-1) Held up, headway halfway, driven to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Haydock 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) hvy in May beating Leahurst (8-10) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Full Toss 11-4 (9-2) Settled in rear, in touch, raced keenly early, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, disputed lead entering final 2f, no extra when headed inside final furlong, snatched 2nd post, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Taameer (8-12) at Newbury 1m 2yo stk (2) gd in Sep.
Prince Siegfried (FR) (8-13) 2nd of 11, hd behind Zafisio (8-13) at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m 2yo stks G1 in Nov.
Set The Trend 8-1 (8-3) Towards rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Desert Creek (7-12) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (2) hvy in May.
