made all on rail, ran on well, came clear final furlong, unchallenged
difficult loading, held up in touch, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on towards finish
held up in touch on rail, headway chasing leaders over 1f out, kept on into 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
pulled hard tracking leaders on outside, ridden hung left and awkward from 2f out, weakened final furlong
difficult loading, chased leaders on rail, lost place halfway, behind final 3f
MUTARAFFA may carry a penalty but scored by five lengths over course and distance earlier in the month and Charlie Hill’s charge looks to have little to fear from today’s modest opposition. Confab finished fourth at Goodwood without threatening on his debut and may prove the biggest danger given Baalbek never figured at Kempton on his introduction and Basilisk has shown little so far. Aljari cost E180,000 at last year’s breeze-up sales while fellow newcomer Ecstasea is related to several winners.
Mutaraffa (IRE) 13-8 (9-5) Made all, driven when pressed over 1f out, ran on well, won at Lingfield 7f stks (5) gd in May beating Aristocratic Lady (9-0) by 5l, 7 ran.
Aljari Quality Road colt out of Rhagori.
Baalbek (USA) 12-1 (9-2) Soon led, took keen hold, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 13 3/4l behind Clematis (8-11) at Kempton 1m stks (5) pol in Nov.
Basilisk (USA) 10-1 (8-13) Started very slowly, ran very green in rear, ran wide on bend 7f out, never a factor, 9th of 12, 22 1/2l behind Muraad (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Apr.
Confab (USA) 16-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders in 4th until edged right and outpaced 2f out, kept on again in 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 6 1/4l behind Dominus (9-5) at Goodwood 7f stks (4) gd in May.
Ecstasea (IRE) Born To Sea filly out of Rhapsodize.
So Claire 33-1 (8-12) Towards rear, pushed along and some late headway, 7th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Turn 'n Twirl (8-12) at Lingfield 7f fll stks (5) pol in Dec.
Stormbomber (CAN) 66-1 (9-1) Held up behind, headway 2f out, driven and kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 16, 10l behind Jalaad (10-0) at Doncaster 7f mdn stks (4) gd in Apr.