held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on to take 3rd final 100 yards, nearest finish
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened inside final 2f
chased leaders, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, to just inside final furlong, no impression
led to halfway, chased leader to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, effort on inside to lead just inside final furlong, ridden clear readily
slowly into stride and always behind
keen hold in mid-division, hung wide when 2f out and soon eased
slowly into stride, behind, kept on final furlong, no danger
raced wide in mid-division, weakened 2f out
pressed leader, led halfway, hard ridden 2f out, headed just inside final furlong and kept on same pace
keen hold in touch, hampered on rail over 4f out, no headway final 2f
In the opener, His Master's Voice gets the call over Kingsgate Prince and Sharp Thrust. His Master's Voice very much caught the eye on his course and distance debut and normal improvement alone would appear to give him leading claims today. There is plenty of speed in Arzaag's pedigree, while Billy Wizz ran green on his debut but should improve. Came Back showed promise when third at Wolverhampton last time, but the form has already received a knock. The level of Kingsgate Prince's form, including over course and distance, affords him respect, while, having dropped back from seven furlongs last time, Sharp Thrust, who was a beaten favourite there, now steps up to six from that effort and, for us, holds place claims. Top Shot has something to like on breeding, but others are preferred today, but the cheaply-acquired Diane's Choice has shown enough on Turf to be afforded respect. Finally, Native Tiptoes has raced only on soft going but certainly has something to like on breeding and could improve on this surface. Overall, though, we are happy to side with His Master's Voice.
Arzaag Bertolini colt out of 6f winner Como.
Billy Wizz (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, soon outpaced, driven along in rear, never a factor, 9th of 12, 9l behind Didn't We (8-10) at Lingfield 6f mdn stk (5) pol.
Came Back (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway halfway, ridden 2f out, switched left inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Hypocrisy (8-9) at W'hampton 6f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
His Master's Voice (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Started slowly, behind, headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Dingaan (9-0) at Lingfield 6f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
Sunny King (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Tracked leader near side, kept on from over 1f out but no chance with far side group final furlong, 4th of 15, 4l behind Wake Up Maggie (8-4) at Sandown 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jul.
Sharp Thrust (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) Led until headed just over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 8, 3l behind Calypso King (9-0) at Lingfield 5f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Jul.
Top Shot College Chapel gelding, half-brother to winning milers Toparudi and Topatoo.
Diane's Choice 7-1 (9-7) Chased leader far side group, ridden over 2f out, no extra towards finish, 9th of 17, 4l behind Lipizza (9-4) at Nottingham 5f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Nov.