pulled hard, held up last pair, pushed along on outer 3f out, soon one pace and no impression on leaders
dwelt, soon tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden final furlong, held on well near finish
took keen hold, raced in 4th, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong
set steady pace, pushed along 3f out, headed 2f out, stayed on same pace
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, ridden and wandered 2f out, no impression over 1f out
pulled hard, steadied in last pair, headway and switched out to track leading pair 2f out, chased winner final furlong, no impression near finish
Walk In The Park has a big reputation and needs to justify it here to beat the likes of promising Linngari, Kong and Party Boss. The latter has been a credit to Clive Brittain, mopping up during the winter before being swamped in the 2,000 Guineas, and if Clive believes he will stay, that is good enough for us. However, he takes on more Group company here and it will be a pleasant surprise if he is good enough. Walk In The Park is bred for middle-distances and will handle the cut in the ground more than most. His close third in the Group 1 Criterion International at Saint Cloud last October sets the standard, and connections are no doubt testing the water to decide whether he eventually lines up at Epsom or Chantilly in June. Linngari is interesting as he has a lot more to show than when landing two seven-furlong maidens at the end of last season. His dam is a daughter of the Derby winner Kahyasi so he will have no difficulty at all with the trip. Kong, a half-brother to 1,000 Guineas second Snowfire, came off second best in a tremendous battle with Gold Gun at Newbury recently, and although still a maiden, deserves a crack at this company. Melrose Avenue was last of five in the Irish Futurity at The Curragh last autumn but that was on fast ground, and although he lines up here on the back of a conditions success at Catterick, you can be sure that Mark Johnston would not run him if he was not up to it. Kings Quay has plenty to find though, and for the winner we look to Walk In The Park.
Kings Quay 11-2 Held up last, driven along 2f out, not clear run approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Fracas at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 gs in Apr.
Kong (IRE) 5-2fav Soon tracked leaders, challenged on bit over 2f out, every chance final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 10, shd behind Gold Gun at Newbury 1m 3f 3yo mdn gs in Apr.
Linngari (IRE) 8-15fav Tracked leader, challenge going well 3f out, led over 2f out, went clear and soon in command, pushed out, won at Sandown 7f nov stk (D2) gd in Sept beating Easy Mover by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Melrose Avenue (USA) 13-8 Made all, ran wide after 3f, ridden and challenged well over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo stk sft in Apr beating Takhmin by 1l, 4 ran.
Party Boss 25-1 Led, headed over 2f out, weakened when hampered over 1f out, 12th of 19, 6l behind Footstepsinthesand at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 1 gf in Apr.
Walk In The Park (IRE) Pulled hard in rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Helios Quercus at Saint-Cloud 1m Grp 1 sft in Oct.
