raced wide towards rear, ridden and headway inside final furlong, ran on to go 3rd near finish
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
keen close up, headway approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, quickened clear
in touch, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in rear, ridden 2f out, nearest finish
led, ridden 2f out, joined over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on one pace
towards rear, never a factor
in touch, ridden and headway entering final furlong, driven and stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
tracked leader, ridden to join leader over 1f out, led briefly entering final furlong, kept on one pace
Grendisar attempts to repeat last year’s success in this but was beaten by CONVEY (NAP) in the Winter Derby over course and distance last time. Sir Michael Stoute’s charge changed ownership and was gelded at the end of last season and there could be plenty more to come from him this year having also beaten Absolute Blast in the Winter Derby. The latter has since boosted the form with a Listed win at Kempton and can figure but Battalion has a bit to find on recent form and Elbereth is preferred on her defeat of Fire Fighting in Ireland last month. Third Time Lucky had been in good form on the all-weather before well beaten in the Lincoln last time but Van Huysen and the two French runners, Allez Henri and Metropol, look up against it with the latter only fifth in a Listed race here in November.
Allez Henri (IRE) (8-11) 3rd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Best Fouad (8-13) at Chantilly 1m 1f stks pol in Mar.
Battalion (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Dwelt, in rear, ridden and headway on inside over 1f out, kept on same pace, never troubled leaders, 6th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Convey (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Feb.
Convey 11-2 (9-0) Mid-division, chased leaders over 2f out, effort on outside over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on well inside final furlong, led near finish, won at Lingfield 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Feb beating Pinzolo (9-0) by nk, 9 ran.
Grendisar (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 1f out, soon ridden, switched inside and every chance final 100 yards, kept on, held near finish, 5th of 9, 3/4l behind Convey (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Feb.
Metropol (IRE) (8-13) 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Absalon (8-13) at Chantilly 7f stks pol in Apr.
Third Time Lucky (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders far side, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 17th of 22, 8 3/4l behind Bravery (9-1) at Doncaster 1m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Van Huysen (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Close 2nd until over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 5, 4 1/4l behind Banditry (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Absolute Blast (IRE) 4-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and squeezed through on inner to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 1m 2f lst stks (1) pol in Apr beating Linguistic (9-0) by nk, 7 ran.
Elbereth 11-2 (9-0) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, ridden 2f out, under pressure and no impression in 4th 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Dundalk 1m 3f pol in Mar beating Fire Fighting (9-2) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
