settled last, effort on rails over 2f out, stayed on same pace and no impression
led, ridden and headed inside final 3f, soon no chance with winner, kept on well for clear 2nd
raced keenly, tracked leaders, went 2nd over 11f out, led inside final 3f, soon edged left, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on well
settled 3rd over 11f out, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out
Much has been made about Mubtaker's position in the 2003 International Classifications List and he has the ideal chance to prove the assessors right as he bids to land this for the third year in succession. Dubai Success, who won the Group 3 John Porter Stakes here in April, appears to be the main obstacle in his way and is preferred over last year's Derby runner up The Great Gatsby, who has yet to recapture his sparkle since switching to John Gosden. The ease in the ground will aid his cause today though and he is no forlorn hope to bounce back in the first time headgear for those willing to forgive him his two modest efforts this term. Compton Bolter completes the line up for this year's renewal and should again run his race. However, he has plenty to find with the selection and it will take a much improved performance for him to come clear of the rest at the finish. Mubtaker proved last year that a long lay-off is no problem to him when he is on song and, as Marcus Tregoning has timed it to perfection to get him ready for this, the son of Silver Hawk can claim his crown for the third time before another possible tilt at the Prix De L'Arc De Triomphe and then the Honk Kong Vase if he stays sound.
