led, headed over 5f out, ridden and led again over 1f out, hung right and driven inside final furlong, headed post
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on to lead post
led over 5f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, ran green in rear, never near leaders
slowly into stride, in rear, hampered halfway, never dangerous
towards rear, ridden and headway 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, headway after 2f to be in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
towards rear, pushed along halfway, kept on final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out
Acheekyone is the pick over Best Alibi and newcomers Foreign Envoy and Gandor. More unexposed talent to tap into here in the last two named, but on the strength of two promising efforts so far, Acheekyone is taken to open his account. Brian Meehan's juvenile caught the eye when second on his Newmarket debut and then ran another sound race in defeat at York next time. He will have learnt plenty from both those splendid efforts, and the decision to run here instead of aiming too high in the Dewhurst at the weekend can reap dividends. Best Alibi was a close third to Mulaqat at Yarmouth in September, and a win for the latter in the 2:40 here would advertise his claims. He still makes slightly less appeal than Acheekyone though. Foreign Envoy holds a Derby entry, as does Gandor who was well entered up this week. Along with Dragon Dancer and the more exposed Cote d'Argent, it all makes for what could be an informative affair, and one in which Acheekyone gets the vote.
Acheekyone (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) With leader, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Charlie Cool (9-0) at York 7f 2yo mdn (3) gf in Aug.
Best Alibi (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, no extra and one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Mulaqat (9-0) at Yarmouth 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept.
Cote d'Argent 10-3 (8-11) With leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakening when slightly short of room over 1f out, last of 5, 5l behind Noble Gent (8-11) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sept.
Dragon Dancer (FR) Sadler's Wells colt out of middle-distance winner Alakananda.
Foreign Envoy (IRE) Grand Lodge gelding, half-brother to 5f winner Russian Blue.
Gandor (IRE) Cape Cross colt, half-brother to 2 winners between 1m & 1m2f.
Orange Stravinsky 5-2jt-fav (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, close up 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Music Note (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
Royal Reservation 3-1fav (9-0) Slowly into stride, behind, shaken up and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 5l behind South Cape (9-0) at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept.
