tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, kept on one pace, lost 2nd towards finish
close up, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on
taken to post early, dwelt in rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never a factor
raced wide close up, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
mid-division, headway on inner over 1f out, ridden and ran on to go 2nd towards finish
towards rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, nearest finish
Farraaj will likely start favourite and deservedly so. He was well backed to land the Listed Churchill Stakes over track and trip in November and duly did so with both Tinshu and Emerald Wilderness well behind. Open to further progress, Roger Varian's charge is the one to beat but PREMIO LOCO looks better value. He overcame a wide draw to win this last year when beating the re-opposing Cai Shen more cosily than the half-length winning margin would suggest and Chris Wall's charge showed no signs of deteriorating last season, going on to land the Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood in August. Viking Storm showed progressive form over longer trips last year and has a shout but Miblish looks a bigger threat if repeating his second to the top-class Planteur in a Listed race here last month. The remainder are all decent handicappers but with something to find at this level.
Premio Loco (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Raced far side chased winner, close up, ridden and headway over 1f, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Penitent (9-3) at Newmarket 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Sep.
Ansgar (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Made all, soon well clear, ridden 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed and reduced advantage final furlong, all out at line, won at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Dec beating Akasaka (9-1) by shd, 11 ran.
Cai Shen (IRE) 11-2 (8-11) Held up in rear, ridden on outside over 1f out, plugged on but never in contention, 6th of 8, 6l behind Grandeur (8-6) at Newbury 1m 1f cond Stakes (3) gf in Sep.
Farraaj (IRE) 11-8fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden and ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f Listed stks (1) pol in Nov beating Genzy (9-2) by 1l, 10 ran.
Field Of Dream 13-2 (8-11) 5th of 12, 5l behind Anaerobio (8-9) at Meydan(UAE) 7f hcp gd in Feb.
Robin Hood (IRE) 500-1 (9-5) last of 18, well behind Solemia (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Robin Hoods Bay 5-2fav (9-7) In touch, pushed along and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, just held on, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcap (2) pol beating Spifer (8-13) by nk, 7 ran.
Viking Storm 11-4fav (9-3) Led 1f, chased leader until 10f out, chased leaders, good headway on inside to press leaders 2f out, soon every chance, still disputing lead 1f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Spring Of Fame (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f Listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Tinshu (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, challenged 2f out, every chance 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Robin Hoods Bay (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2f hcap (2) pol.
Emerald Wilderness (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 8l behind Planteur (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Listed stks (1) pol in Feb.
Miblish 20-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, driven inside final furlong, closing on winner towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Planteur (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Listed stks (1) pol in Feb.
