led, driven and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, never on terms
held up, headway over 1f out, never on terms
always prominent, driven to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong
took keen hold, soon in touch, effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, smooth progress over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, driven out
tracked leaders, outpaced over 3f out, stayed on approaching final furlong
in touch, hampered over 6f out, ridden over 4f out, soon no impression
Warm Embraces showed plenty of promise when chasing home Fantastic Cee here over seven furlongs on his debut last month and with improvement to come for the run and today's longer trip David Elsworth's colt gets the vote to go one better with the main threats looking to be Haasem and Modern Verse. The last mentioned showed signs of temperament prior to his recent Southwell debut before staying on well at the end of the race. There should be more to come over this longer trip and he has to be respected. Birkside has ability but is more exposed than most of his rivals and may be booked for a place at best, while Prairie Moon lacks a previous run and may do better over further later in his career. Ed Dunlop's Haasem takes the eye on pedigree and would have to be of interest but the trainer rarely has his horses ready on their first attempt and a safer option looks to lie with Warm Embraces, who gets the vote.
Birkside 9-4fav (9-2) Close up, chased winner 3f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Khun John (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Ganache (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 7f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 6th of 11, 9l behind Clay Hollister (10-7) at Fontwell 1m 6f mdn nhf (6) sft in Feb (N.Hunt).
Modern Verse (USA) 11-1 (9-13) Soon behind, pushed along halfway, ran on on outer final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Captain Jacksparra (8-13) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs.
Lancaster's Quest 16-1 (8-11) Started slowly, soon chased leaders, hampered and checked over 3f out, kept on final 2f, 5th of 12, 8l behind Proper (8-9) at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Jun.
Shot Gun Green Desert gelding out of 7f winner Wardat Allayl.
Teen Ager (FR) 5-1 (8-11) Dwelt, behind, pushed along halfway, no impression, 6th of 8, 10l behind Chin Wag (8-13) at Leicester 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Jun.
Warm Embraces (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) Dwelt, held up, headway and switched right approaching final furlong, ran on final furlong to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Fantastic Cee (8-4) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb.
Oh Mary (IRE) Anabaa filly out of an unraced mare.
Prairie Moon Halling filly, half-sister to winners up to 1m2f.
Winning Smile (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leader to over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 8l behind Madrigale (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn fll (5) pol.
Haasem (USA) Seeking The Gold colt, half-brother to numerous winners up to 1m4f including the outstanding Sakhee.