held up in rear, switched left and effort over 1f out, soon no impression
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, no extra closing stages
tracked clear leaders, took closer order over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, never near to challenge
went left start, made all, soon clear, hard driven over 1f out, stayed on strongly
steadied start, always in rear
tracked clear leader, effort over 2f out, one pace
settled well off the pace, headway over 1f out, ran on, never nearer
Dance And Dance has a touch of class but this is tougher than the conditions race he won at Doncaster last summer. Belgian Bill disappointed at Meydan earlier this year but has decent claims on his best form at this track while much better was expected from Spirit Of Sharjah over track and trip last time. Bronze Prince and Redact have a bit to prove in this company but the latter's stablemate Shamaal Nibras makes some appeal. However, Richard Hannon's charge was well beaten on both occasions he came up against STIRRING BALLAD last year and Andrew Balding's filly is taken to continue on her upward curve and make a winning reappearance here having ending last season with a four-timer on Turf.
Dance And Dance (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden and some headway 2f out, never near leaders, 7th of 11, 13l behind French Navy (9-0) at Newmarket 1m Listed stks 3yo (1) sft in Nov.
Shamaal Nibras (USA) 8-1 (9-4) Towards rear stand side, stayed on final furlong, 7th of 20, 5l behind Tartiflette (8-5) at Doncaster 7f hcp 105 (2) gd in Nov.
Belgian Bill 14-1 (9-0) 11th of 16, 8l behind Capital Attraction (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 in Jan.
Bronze Prince 25-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra towards finish, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Benzanno (8-8) at Lingfield 1m hcap (2) pol.
Redact (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Raced centre close up, outpaced 2f out, ridden and rallied inside final furlong, 8th of 21, 7l behind Idler (8-5) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sep.
Spirit of Sharjah (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Steadied start, held up in last pair, progress inside final final furlong, never a threat, 7th of 11, 5l behind Atlantis Crossing (9-2) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Stirring Ballad 11-4fav (8-12) In touch, headway 2f out, soon ridden to challenge led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Chester 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug beating Trail Blaze (8-10) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.