hampered start, soon prominent, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
hampered start, slowly into stride, always in rear
broke well, held up in touch, headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, soon no impression
held up in rear, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up, headway 2f out, soon one pace
hampered start, soon pushed along in rear
chased winner, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders 4f
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
went right start, soon close up, travelling well, ridden 2f out, edged right and weakened
slowly into stride and hampered start, mid-division, ridden halfway, never dangerous
Papal Bull has the best form on offer, and is taken to beat potentially useful newcomers Mashaair and Cousteau. Papal Bull shaped well on his debut when fourth to the useful Primary at Newmarket despite appearing green, and it was a wee bit disappointing that he failed to score at Salisbury when upped to a mile next time, given that the son of Montjeu holds a Derby entry. It may well be that he just needs more time and despite the drop back in trip, Sir Michael Stoute's charge is taken to make experience count. Mashaair is also pencilled in for Epsom next June and this half-brother to Haafhd is well regarded. Whether he is forward enough to go in first time though is open to question. Cousteau's half-brother Ti Adora stayed middle-distances as a three-year-old, so he will be expected to do the same next year, while Quaffle is bred to have more speed but has not shown enough yet to fancy strongly on this stiff track, so Papal Bull is much preferred.
Bandama (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Raced stand side, held up, never dangerous, 16th of 23, 13l behind Arm Candy (8-9) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Sept.
Birkside Spinning World colt out of 1m2f winner Bright Hope.
Cousteau Spinning World colt, half-brother to middle-distance winner Ti Adora.
Height of Fury (IRE) 28-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on, 8th of 14, 7l behind Bold And Free (9-0) at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept.
Mashaair (IRE) King's Best colt, half-brother to nuemrous winners including the smart Munir.
Papal Bull 5-6fav (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon with leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, led again 1f out, no extra when headed close home, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Botteen (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
Quaffle 16-1 (8-11) Dwelt and towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression, 10th of 16, 11l behind Signor Peltro (8-11) at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Sept.
Southport Star (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakening when not much room over 1f out, 5th of 11, 9l behind Emirates Skyline (9-0) at Doncaster 7f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Jul.
