prominent 1f, tracked leaders, 2nd going well over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven and headed narrowly inside final furlong, ran on, just held
prominent 1f, held up in touch, effort over 1f out, led inside narrowly inside final furlong, edged right, held on
slow to break, held up in rear, not clear run over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on, unable to challenge, just held on to 3rd
led, headed over 7f out, stayed handy, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and headway 1f out, edged left and kept on inside final furlong, unable to get on terms, just failed to get 3rd
mid-division, headway over 3f out, driven and unable to quicken entering final furlong, no extra towards finish
prominent on outside, led over 7f out, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
slow to break, held up in rear, effort wide on home turn, no impression, kept on same pace inside final furlong
A terrific renewal of this trial race but the returning pair, Decorated Knight and Arab Spring, may have their sights set on the Winter Derby itself later in the month. Both are penalised for last year’s wins in Group 3 company and should be sharper for today’s outing while Battalion has 3lb extra to carry after winning the Listed Quebec Stakes here in December. He was ahead of the last year’s Winter Derby winner GRENDISAR (NAP) in the latter race but Marco Botti’s popular stalwart may well turn the tables on today’s revised terms having also won the last two renewals of this. The remainder are decent handicappers but all have something to find in this company.
Arab Spring (IRE) (9-4) 4th of 7, 3 1/4l behind Ventura Storm (8-12) at San Siro 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Decorated Knight 9-4 (9-9) Settled 5th on outer, 6th halfway, travelled well into 5th 1 1/2f out, rapid headway to 2nd over 1f out, progress to lead 1f out, soon ridden and asserted, kept on well, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Jul beating Portage (9-9) by 2l, 7 ran.
Battalion (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, in touch, headway on inner 2f out, soon chased leader, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stks (1) pol in Dec beating Dubai Fashion (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Forceful Appeal (USA) 4-1 (9-1) Held up last, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, went 3rd well inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Calling Out (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (2) pol in Jan.
Grendisar (IRE) 15-8fav (9-3) Held up towards rear, plenty to do 2f out, pushed along and headway to chase winner entering final furlong, one pace and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Battalion (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stks (1) pol in Dec.
Mythical Madness 9-2 (9-11) Held up, not clear run over 1f out, switched right, led inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (3) pol in Jan beating Supersta (9-7) by 1l, 9 ran.
Our Channel (USA) 5-2 (9-4) Pulled hard and raced awkwardly, led, pressed when rider dropped rein briefly over 1f out, soon headed, lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened well inside final furlong, last of 4, 3 1/2l behind Calling Out (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (2) pol in Jan.
Solar Deity (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Prominent early, mid-division, outpaced 2f out, ridden and kept on well on outer final 100 yards, not reach leaders, 7th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Forceful Appeal (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
