took keen hold, tracked joint winner, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on steadily final furlong to dead heat post
held up, ridden 2f out and not much room, stayed on final furlong, not reached leaders
behind in touch, headway 2f out, soon hung left, weakened 1f out
made all, hard pressed final furlong, joined post
in touch on outer, not much room when hampered and checked well over 1f out, not recover and eased final furlong
started slowly, in rear in touch, headway over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, not reached leaders
tracked leaders to over 2f out, soon weakened
This is the most competitive race on the card and the narrow vote is given to Azarole with Vanderlin and Brave Maestro the dangers. The selection is in cracking form at present and he won well when last seen out in Dubai, defeating Proudance over this trip. He has had problems in the past but those look to be behind him now and he stands out as the one to beat. Vanderlin boasts some decent form in South Africa and he would certainly have claims on the back of a fair effort in the Group 2 Lennox Stakes at Goodwood last year. However, he is returning from a break and may not be as well tuned today as our selection. Brave Maestro ran well when last seen out earlier this month behind Sri Diamond and he is entitled to respect, although the suspicion is that he is better over a longer trip. Kindlelight Debut has been in decent form but he has been racing in weaker company than this and for the winner we will stick with Azarole.
Vanderlin 4-1 (8-9) All out bid, faultered, 4th of 12, 2l behind Steel Light (8-5) at Woodbine 6f stk std in Oct.
Azarole (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Led main group, ridden to challenge 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, won at Nad Al Sheba 1m hcp gd beating Proudance (9-3) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Bravo Maestro (USA) 25-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on, 6th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Sri Diamond (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) pol.
Kandidate 14-1 (9-5) Led from start, ridden over 2f out, headed 2f out, weakened rapidly, last of 7, 14l behind Azarole (9-1) at Nad Al Sheba 1m hcp gd.
Lord Mayor 12-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden and stayed on same pace final 2f, 8th of 14, 3l behind Kew Green (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stk (1) pol in Nov.
Moayed 16-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, headway halfway, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 6th of 13, 4l behind Something (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Kindlelight Debut 7-2fav (9-2) Held up, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Nice Tune (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f fll hcp 0-85 (4) pol.