close up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
tracked leaders, headway to chase leader entering final 2f, led approaching final furlong, soon clear, eased towards finish
led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leader, pushed along and carried head high over 2f out, not run on, faded inside final furlong
close in rear, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders
tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out
Eager Beaver is rated a pound higher than Ballynanty and 9lb higher than Epsom runner up Virginia Celeste. Bill Muir's charge has twice finished second over 1m2f on Turf but his record on the all weather is less impressive and it will be a surprise if he's good enough to beat the less exposed EMIRATES COMFORT. The Godolphin colt may have found 1m5f last time at Chelmsford just a shade too far and can get of the mark in first time cheekpieces. The Makfi debutante Starving Faithful is preferred to hurdler L'Amiral David of the others.
L'Amiral David (FR) 9-4fav (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, weakened last, 5th of 8, 17 1/2l behind Classical Art (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Ballynanty (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Queen's Novel (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Eager Beaver 14-1 (8-12) Led, headed inside final 3f, chased winner until over 2f out, rallied into 2nd again inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Bella Nouf (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp fll (4) gs in Oct.
Emirates Comfort (IRE) 8-13fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on and always well held, 2nd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Bellajeu (9-0) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Starving Faithful Makfi filly out of Sensational Mover.
Virginia Celeste (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on to close on winner again final 75 yards, always being held, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind El Campeon (9-2) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (5) sft in Sep.
Kawartha Royal Applause filly out of Zarkavean.
