raced on inside, chased winner, switched right over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, strong challenge near finish, just failed
chased leaders, hanging left when switched right over 1f out, soon not quicken, kept on towards finish, not trouble leaders
held up and behind, took keen hold and slightly hampered over 4f out, kept on towards finish, never nearer
made all, clear over 1f out, just held on, all out
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened towards finish
chased leaders on outside, wide straight, kept on towards finish
held up in last trio, good headway on inside over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, ran on
took keen hold, held up in last pair, wide straight, ridden and hung left over 1f out, ran on towards finish, not trouble leaders
Royal Birth won last year’s renewal with Boom The Groom back in fourth though neither were a match for ORVAR at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago. The latter has now won both starts on the all-weather and his latest success came after undergoing a wind operation last month. There may well be more to come from Paul Midgley’s new charge and he’s taken to get the better of Gracious John despite the unfavourable terms. David Evans’ sprinter has struggled since beating Tomily at Wolverhampton in December but it would be no surprise if he bounced back in this. Encore d'Or is another capable of better than he showed at Meydan last month and Ryan Moore partnered him to victory at Doncaster last year but Brother Tiger and Karijini have plenty to find on these terms.
Encore d'Or 20-1 (9-5) last of 14, 18 1/4l behind Dutch Masterpiece (8-13) at Meydan 5f hcp gd in Jan.
Boom The Groom (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Pressed leader, effort over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Orvar (8-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Brother Tiger 7-4fav (8-12) Made all, driven over 1f out, ridden and ran on well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 5f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Dynamo Walt (9-7) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Gracious John (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Raced keenly, held up behind, outpaced over 2f out, never a threat, weakened final furlong, last of 12, 9l behind Kachy (9-0) at Lingfield 6f lst stks (1) pol in Feb.
Orvar (IRE) 25-1 (8-5) Tacked leaders, headway to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (2) pol in Feb beating Atletico (8-11) by 1l, 10 ran.
Royal Birth 7-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon outpaced, no danger after, 9th of 10, 4 3/4l behind Orvar (8-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Tomily (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders on inside over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd and held towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Orvar (8-5) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Karijini (GER) 11-8fav (9-7) Tracked leaders going well, 2nd well over 1f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, ran on, ridden out, won at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Higher Court (9-2) by 3/4l, 8 ran.