took keen hold, held up towards rear, short lived effort over 2f out
slowly away, soon pushed up to go close up and raced keenly on inside, pushed along halfway, lost place quickly over 3f out, soon behind and eased, tailed off
held up towards rear, ridden and struggling inside final 3f
started very slowly, keen in rear, some headway inside final 2f, one pace over 1f out, never reached leaders
prominent, tracked leader halfway, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden clear, easily
took keen hold, always towards rear
took keen hold, chased leaders until 3f out, weakened rapidly soon after, tailed off
close up on outside, ridden to 3rd 2f out until over 1f out, 4th and stayed on same pace final furlong
raced wide early stages, headway to lead after 2f, ridden and pressed 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon no chance with winner, kept on to hold 2nd close home
raced wide, soon pushed along towards rear, driven halfway, never on terms
Nonrunner
CALYPSO STAR has obvious claims for this contest if finding the sort of form that saw him win at Newmarket last month whilst Easy Target will pose a threat if showing the ability that led to a couple of wins over in France and I Confess is a previous course and distance winner so may contend. We side with Richard Hannon's Exceed and Excel colt in this contest despite a somewhat disappointing effort last time when he started as favourite at Chepstow. He won a similar race at Newmarket over a mile and has every chance in this affair. Easy Target has not been seen since August and if returning at the top end of his ability has obvious prospects. On previous record he tends to need a run to find his rhythm so we pass him on this occasion. Lord Fidelio is a good alternative although he has shown the pick of his ability over seven furlongs. I Confess has put in good efforts here before but not for some time and will need to improve on his current tries this year to challenge. Our preference is for Calypso Star.
Easy Target (FR) 10-1 (9-8) Held up, out paced over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 6th of 9, 3l behind Musleh (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Aug.
Fidler Bay 66-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged left and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Shesells Seashells (8-9) at Yarmouth 1m mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.
Stef And Stelio 20-1 (9-5) Prominent, chased leader 3f out until 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 6l behind Admin (8-9) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo clm stks (5) pol in Jun.
Totally Focussed (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, not clearest of runds over 2f out, plugged on one pace inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 10l behind Clockmaker (9-8) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun.
I Confess 13-2 (9-10) Chased leaders, reminders soon after start, edged left and hard ridden over 1f out, chance inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Feeling Fresh (9-1) at Chester 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Calypso Star (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Held up towards rear, effort on outside over 2f out, soon ridden, headway over 1f out, kept on to chase leaders inside final furlong, no impression, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Bidable (8-13) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Lord Fidelio (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Raced wide, mid-division, headway to track leaders 4f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 13l behind Tanforan (8-8) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jun.
Gilderoy 100-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along, always behind, 8th of 12, 24l behind Zubova (8-7) at Southwell 1m 3yo clm stks (5) fbs.
Bell's Ocean (USA) 10-1 (8-5) Behind, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden and some headway over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Eastern Gift (9-6) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Sabatini (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 6th of 7, 12l behind Brannagh (9-5) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Kenswick 4-1 (8-0) In touch, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Noble Jack (9-10) at Lingfield 1m sell stks (6) pol in May.
Blue Noodles 9-2 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Orpenindeed (9-1) at Epsom Downs 7f clm stks (5) gd.
