slowly into stride, pulled hard in rear, some headway final furlong but never near leaders
went left and bumped start, in touch on outer, paced winner from 3f out, strong challenge inside final furlong, closing at finish, just failed
went left start, made all, pressed and hard driven inside final furlong, just held on, all out
raced keenly, backed winner to 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out
steadied rear, headway 3f out, pressed leaders 2f out, hung left and no impression inside final furlong
chased leaders, driven along 3f out, weakened 2f out
took keen hold, held up in rear, shaken up 2f out, kept on steadily final furlong, nearest finish
Unless the market tells a radically-different story, we are prepared to side with Golo Gal ahead of Stronghold. By Mark Of Esteem and closely related to the useful Redback, Golo Gal catches our eye on breeding, although he has yet to see the track. Watch the betting but we'll take a chance and make him the choice. Stronghold, of course, will be the favourite and he was unlucky not to have won at Kempton last time. He has more than enough ability to win a race of this nature, so has to be seriously considered. The beautifully bred son of Dubai Millennium, Bahar Shumaal is maybe one to monitor, while Burooj, a half-brother to the stable's 1,000 Guineas winner Lahan, is another to catch the eye. Fortunate Isle showed promise when second to Rob Roy on his Newmarket debut but, to be fair, the form of that race has yet to really work out. However, he still warrants consideration, while Gamble Of The Day showed promise on his Doncaster debut and this $260,000 son of Cozzene should improve this year. However, and unless the market says something radically different, we will side with Golo Gal.
Atacama Star 25-1 (8-6) Held up in rear, effort on outside 2f out, outpaced final 2f, 10th of 16, 8l behind Kerashan (8-13) at Kempton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Bahar Shumaal (IRE) Dubai Millennium colt, half-brother to numerous winners including the smart Amfortas and the useful Legend Maker.
Borouj (IRE) Unfuwain colt, full brother to 1,000 Guineas winner Lahan.
Fortunate Isle (USA) 66-1 (8-9) Prominent, driven to challenge over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 23, 2 1/2l behind Rob Roy (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (D2) gd in Oct.
Gamble of the Day (USA) 9-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 5l behind Tasdeed (9-0) at Doncaster 7f 2yo mdn (D3) gs in Oct.
My Diss Sire Vettori colt out of 5f & 1m2f winner Never Diss Miss.
Prime Contender 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, soon beaten, 11th of 13, 14l behind Tarraman (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd in Mar.
Shire (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) In touch over 4f, 10th of 13, 12l behind Alamiyan (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd.
Golo Gal Mark of Esteem colt, half-brother to 6f winner Just One Look.
Stronghold 9-4fav (9-0) Led, 3 lengths clear 1f out, hard ridden final furlong, caught near finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Alamiyan (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd.
Take It There 12-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, 10th of 13, 10l behind Windscreamer (8-11) at Newbury 7f 2yo fll mdn (D) gd in Jul.
