took keen hold, in touch on outer, hard ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong but no danger
made virtually all, quickened 3 lengths clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly
held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong but no chance
chased leaders, chased winner 2f out until inside final furlong, no extra
in touch on inner, ridden 3f out, no impression final 2f
keen hold, held up in rear, never on terms
pulled hard, held up, headway over 1f out, chased easy winner inside final furlong, closed towards finish but no real impression
chased leaders in 4th, ridden 3f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong
keen hold and steadied in touch, hard ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
pressed winner to 2f out, weakened quickly
held up and always in rear
Natural Force has the scope to go on to better things and can land the nursery at the expense of London Express, Scarlet Knight and Montreaux to name but three. In the past, Godolphin have tended to shun all-weather nurseries with their juveniles, but of late that has not been the case, and in Natural Force they have just the sort to do well in this sphere. The son of King's Best appreciated the fast ground and step up to a mile when scoring at Bath in October, and this half-brother to Moss Vale may not be badly treated on a mark of 83 for his nursery bow. London Express has topweight to overcome and has had the misfortune to find one too good on three of his four starts to date. Nevertheless anything that Mark Johnston sends down from Middleham has to be respected. Eddie Ahern is on fire at the moment so Scarlet Knight will not want for support either, but the step back up to a mile is a worry at this stage of his career. However connections would like to qualify him to race in Dubai over the winter and he will need to improve his handicap mark with that in mind, so you can be sure that he will get every assistance in the saddle today. Montreaux takes a massive drop in grade after finishing last in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket, but she is best watched until showing signs of improvement, and we much prefer the claims of Natural Force.
Scarlet Knight 7-1 (9-5) Prominent, driven to chase leader over 1f out, ran on under pressure to lead close home, won at Lingfield 6f nov stk (4) pol in Oct beating Prince Tamino (9-5) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Natural Force (IRE) 5-2 (9-0) Soon with leader, settled behind leaders after 1f, led just inside final furlong and carried right, ridden and ran on well, won at Bath 1m 2yo mdn (5) gf in Oct beating Pinch of Salt (9-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Quince (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Raced centre, chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, soon hung left, 9th of 11, 21l behind Gramm (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2yo hcp 0-95 (4) sft in Oct.
Montreux (UAE) 20-1 (8-9) In touch over 4f, last of 14, 41l behind Speciosa (8-9) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll Grp 2 (1) gs in Oct.
King's Revenge 15-8 (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway over 2f out, not much room inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Orchard Supreme (8-7) at Catterick 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) sft.
Fregate Island (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) With leader, led 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Oct beating Master Pegasus (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Sands of Barra (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Slowly away, behind, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on, never able to challenge, 6th of 20, 9l behind Risk Runner (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) hvy.
London Express (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Behind far side, ridden and headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 21, 2l behind Ordnance Row (9-6) at Doncaster 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
