in touch, pushed along and headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up and keen, pushed along 3f out, switched right and headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, no impression
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, kept on same pace
held up and keen early, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ran on to lead final furlong, stayed on strongly
led after 2f, ridden over 2f out, headed and no extra final furlong
led 2f, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
This could turn out to be quite an informative contest, with some highly though of three-year-olds in attendance, not least of which is Calibre. The dogs were barking his name before John Gosden's colt made his debut at Newmarket in October, and he did not disappoint, beating Lundy's Lane narrowly after being headed. Entered in both the Dante and Vodafone Derby, this full-brother to the stable's decent filly Ryafan will relish the step up in trip and can emulate Proven who took this prize for the Manton yard 12 months ago. Roskilde went out like a light in Group 1 company at the Curragh on his final start but was a consistent juvenile, while Storming Star's two runs have been in Italy and so is hard to weigh up. Pinkerton comes from an in-form yard, while Titurel will at least be fitter than most, but the main danger to Calibre could well be Strength 'n' Honour, a Lingfield maiden winner who is expected to develop into a pattern class animal this term, With Kieren Fallon once again in the plate he looks booked for a place, but Calibre should be up to the task.
