held up, headway over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, never going pace to trouble leaders
slowly into stride, held up, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead final strides
keen, prominent on outer, weakened quickly and hung left inside final 2f, soon eased when no chance
raced keenly, chased leaders, went 2nd 2f out, shaken up to lead well inside final furlong, headed near finish
pressed leader, led halfway, driven over 1f out, headed and not quicken well inside final furlong, lost 2 places near finish
held up, driven to challenge on inside approaching final furlong, not quicken inside final furlong
led to halfway, weakened rapidly 2f out, virtually pulled up final furlong
Chantaco and Green Pirate have very similar profiles and look set be involved in the finish here, however we will take a chance on Elrafa Mujahid, with Cerebus also expected to go well. Julian Poulton's colt hasn't raced since last September when successful over course and distance, beating Pinafore by a neck. The runner up has since put in some sound efforts against good opposition and so the form does look pretty solid. Chantaco has also had a similar break after easily beating Bold Counsel here, if fit he should play a major role. Green Pirate got the better of today's rival Cerebus back in January, and that runner up has gone in twice since. Cerebus may have improved, but Green Pirate should also have plenty of scope for progression and is expected to confirm the running on today's terms. Il Pranzo has disappointed on his last two runs but does have claims on his victory here in January. So all in all another competitive affair with Elrafa Mujahid just edging the decision.
Simplify 16-1 Steadied start, settled towards rear, always behind, 13th of 16, 9l behind Enforcer at Goodwood 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (D2) gs in Oct.
Chantaco (USA) 2-1 Made all, pushed along over 2f out, quickened over 1f out, easily, won at Thirsk 7f 2yo mdn aut (E3) gf in Sept beating Bold Counsel by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Il Pranzo 16-1 Always behind, last of 5, 19l behind Party Boss at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo stk (B1) pol.
Green Pirate 7-4 Bumped start, soon prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, hung left and driven out final furlong, won at W'hampton 7f mdn stk (D3) pol in Jan beating Cerebus by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Anfield Dream 15-8fav Chased leader, led narrowly 2f out, pushed clear inside final furlong, readily, won at Lingfield 6f 3yo mdn (D3) pol beating Stephanie's Mind by 2l, 12 ran.
Elrafa Mujahid 4-1co-fav Close up, pushed along 3f out, ridden to chase leader approaching final furlong, ran on to lead near finish, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn aut (H5) pol in Sept beating Pinafore by a nk, 14 ran.
Cerebus 7-2fav Chased leaders, led 3f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, won at Southwell 5f 3yo hcp (E3) fbs beating Gypsy Fair by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Heartsonfire (IRE) 10-1 Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 9, 5l behind Savoy Chapel at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (E3) pol.
Manic 6-1 Mid-division, hard ridden and edged right over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind Wiltshire at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (E3) pol.