slowly into stride, in rear, short lived effort over 4f out
chased leader, ridden 3f out, edged right well over 1f out, soon weakened
always in rear
close up, travelling well, ridden when short of room well over 1f out, switched right, kept on one pace inside final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed, no extra inside final furlong
raced wide, held up in touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
keen in touch, pushed along over 4f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, pace to challenge
ALAHAQUE gets the vote over Cill Rialaig and Kidlat in this maiden. Peter Chapple-Hyam's colt looked progressive before putting in a disappointing showing on his final run of the season at Newmarket back in October. His previous two runs had worked out quite well and if he gets home over this longer trip then he could be worth another chance. Cill Rialaig has not been out since winning a bumper at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. She looks to have trip and ground to suit and she has to be on the shortlist. Kidlat has been running with plenty of credit on the all-weather and if he can translate that form back to the turf then he would be another who could go close. Shemoli finished well behind our selection on his debut and he will need to show significant improvement to reverse the form. This is quite trappy and the vote goes to Alahaque.
Harlestone Gold 5-1 (9-3) Held up in 6th, went moderate 4th 3f out, soon ridden and struggling, 5th of 7, 15l behind Lough Diver (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo mdn (5) sft in Sep.
Kidlat 4-1 (8-11) Tracked leading pair, ridden when not much 2f out, soon switched to inside, driven and kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong, eased when held near finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Stand Guard (9-4) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Wannarock (IRE) 18-1 (9-0) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 24l behind Taqdeyr (9-3) at Southwell 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Nov.
Cill Rialaig 9-2 (10-9) In touch, smooth headway on outside to chase leaders over 3f out, went 2nd on bit over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Cheltenham 1m 4f Lstd N H flat (1) gs in Jan beating Whistlejacquet (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 15 ran.
Alhaque (USA) 15-8fav (9-3) Prominent, ridden and every chance from 2f out, weakened towards finish, 5th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Mustaqer (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Lively Fling (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Dwelt and towards rear, ridden along and headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 14l behind Kite Wood (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 2yo mdn (4) sft in Sep.
Shemoli 16-1 (9-0) Keen, with leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 11th of 17, 12l behind Redwood (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf in Oct.
