steadied start, in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong
pushed along to lead over 8f out, clear 6f out, ridden over 3f out, rider dropped rein and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
keen led, headed over 6f out, chased clear leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
keen, always in rear
in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
steadied start, held up towards rear, shaken up and good headway over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, eased near finish, impressive
SCOTLAND is in the 2000 Guineas but starting this year's campaign over 1m2f suggests his other entries in the Dante and Irish Derby are the more likely targets this season. Andrew Balding's colt beat the useful Day Of Conquest at Epsom in September and wears his owner's first colours ahead of Polytrack winner Belfilo. Double Bluff, Shankly and God's Speed were all well beaten in pattern company in France on their latest starts and better was expected from Snow Sky in the Racing Post Trophy in October. He'd earlier sluiced up in heavy ground at Salisbury. Western Hymn won a maiden event easily enough at Kempton in November but the form hasn't worked out and he'll need more in this compnay.
Scotland (GER) 9-2 (8-11) Steadied satrt, held up in rear, steady headway on outside 3f out, went 4th 2f out, challenged and hung left over 1f out, continued to hang left on camber, led entering final furlong, stayed on well, won at Epsom Downs 1m 2yo stks (3) gd in Sep beating Day Of Conquest (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Belfilo (IRE) 8-11fav (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 7f out to chase leaders, challenged over 2f out, led 1f out, pressed and found extra towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Mar beating New Tarabela (9-5) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Double Bluff (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) 6th of 7, 17l behind Elliptique (8-11) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
God's Speed (IRE) (8-11) 3rd of 13, 5l behind Mr Pommeroy (8-11) at Cagnes-sur-Mer(FR) 1m 2f 3yo Listed stks (1) fbs in Feb.
Shankly (8-13) 11th of 12, 32l behind Prince Gibraltar (8-13) at Saint-Cloud(FR) 1m 2f 2yo Grp 1 (1) sft in Nov.
Snow Sky 15-2 (9-0) Close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 11, 12l behind Kingston Hill (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Western Hymn 6-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, towards rear, good headway on wide outside well over 1f out, shaken up chasing leaders over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec beating Be My Gal (9-0) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
