slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 4f out, behind from over 3f out
always in rear, ridden 5f out, behind from over 3f out
led 2f, tracked leader after, led again over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon beaten and weakened final furlong
pulled hard, led after 2f, headed over 3f out, weakened and eased 2f out
close up, chased leader 3f out, led over 2f out, soon in command, pushed clear, eased final furlong
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, soon hung badly right, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
in touch, ridden 3f out, some headway over 2f out, kept on one pace
Of the six runners that go to post, only Al Azy, Enroller and Spiritonthemount have done enough to suggest that they can win a race of this nature and we'll take a chance with Al Azy. He is the most experienced of that trio with four runs to his name already but there should be more to come from this impeccably bred colt this season. His mark of 73 is a fair reflection of what he's achieved but it would be no surprise to see this son of Nayef improve considerably with age as he's stepped up in trip. Enroller improved with each of his three starts last season and should come into his own at around this sort of trip and official ratings have him 4lbs ahead of the selection. Spiritonthemount has something to find with that pair on the book and isn't as certain as them to appreciate this trip. The market should tell us more but we think that Al Azy can enhance John Dunlop's record in this contest.
Damascus Gold 100-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, never going well, always in rear, tailed off, last of 14, 35l behind Fourteenth (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gs in Jun.
Just Chrissie 100-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 9th of 10, 46l behind Right To Play (9-13) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf.
Al Azy (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Led, ridden 2f out, soon headed and one pace, 4th of 11, 4l behind Inventor (9-3) at Bath 1m 2f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Arrewig Lissome (USA) 33-1 (9-3) Prominent to 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 15l behind Age of Reason (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Dec.
Enroller (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 13, 4l behind Robby Bobby (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Spiritonthemount (USA) 15-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, not reach leaders, 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Colony (9-3) at Bath 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Brave Boogie 80-1 (8-1) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, 8th of 12, 24l behind Boy On A Swing (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Mar.
