held up, ridden halfway, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders over 4f
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon every chance, led inside final furlong, ran on
pulled hard, close up, ridden and effort over 1f out, soon weakened
always prominent, ridden and every chance over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
held up, never dangerous
with leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon every chance, weakened over 1f out
In this Conditions Stakes race, we give the vote to Turnkey ahead of Dramaticus and Nufoos. First of all, a return to the level of form that saw Dramaticus finish a fair seventh in the Middle Park Stakes last season would give him leading claims, although you will have to forgive him his final effort last season. Galeota ended last season with a fair run in the Mill Reef Stakes but, overall, has a few pounds of improvement to find to win. It could happen, while Turnkey is another to consider as he performed with credit at Group 2 and 3 level last season and should develop into a decent three-year-old. Gifted Gamble probably has to find a little improvement on his juvenile form also, but he is certainly bred for speed, while Nufoos holds a big chance based on her Group 3 second at Ayr and her second in the Rockingham Stakes. Her stable is in good form too. It all adds up to a good race, in which we will give the vote to Turnkey.
Dramaticus 10-3co-fav In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 37l behind Andronikos at Doncaster 6f 2yo lst stk (A1) sft in Oct.
One Putra (IRE) 6-1 Chased winner, ridden and weakened 1f out, 6th of 9, 6l behind Galeota at Newbury 6f 2yo Grp 2 (A1) gs in Sept.
Pauline's Prince 11-2 Dwelt, soon prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 7l behind Orpen Wide at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (E3) fbs in Jan.
Turnkey 7-2 In touch, pushed along over 4f out, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 10l behind Tony James at York 6f 2yo Grp 2 (A) sft in Aug.
Word Perfect 4-1 Keen, raced centre, with leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 11, nk behind Nota Bene at Newmarket 6f 2yo & 3yo stk (C1) sft in Oct.
Gifted Gamble 5th of 8, 5l behind Andronikos at Saint-Cloud 6f lst stk sft in Nov.
Hidden Star 2-1fav Tracked leader, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, soon headed and no extra final furlong, 6th of 15, 4l behind El Rey Royale at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn aut (E) gf in Jul.
Nufoos 6-1 Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Moth Ball at York 6f 2yo lst stk (A1) gd in Oct.