led until inside final 2f, soon ridden, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened
behind, virtually pulled up 3f out, tailed off
close up, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, led narrowly inside final 2f, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway to modest 4th inside final furlong
held up in rear, reminders halfway, never a factor
took keen hold in mid-division, struggling and no chance final 2f
tracked leaders, challenged 2f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, comfortably
took keen hold, chased leaders until weakened over 2f out
chased leader, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out
took keen hold, held up towards rear, pushed along and headway well over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
Lean Machine sets the standard but EN FUEGO could improve past him to land the finale, whilst Alkhataaf and Flambeau should also continue to progress. Peter Chapple-Hyam's colt went down narrowly on his final start as a juvenile and the winner of that race, London Stripe, is now rated 88 and the second horse is rated a pound better than that, so there's every indication our pick can prove better than the standard set by Lean Machine. Rated 79, Richard Hannon's charge should pick up a similar race especially if repeating his debut second to Silver Grecian, a subsequent Group winner. Perhaps first time out is the time to get him and if that proves to be the case he'll go very close but our inclination is to look for something less exposed. Alkhataaf hasn't yet threatened to win but John Dunlop's runners tend to improve with racing and the step up to seven furlongs should allow this one to do just that; he's just preferred over Flambeau for those seeking an each-way alternative to the market leaders. The last-named represents Henry Candy, a trainer who places his horses astutely, and is another from whom the best is yet to come. Kakatosi was unfancied on debut but may no better now three-years-old whilst the fact that George Baker rides Panpiper suggests a fair run is anticipated. With Starclass and Crinan Classic having also displayed promise on their debuts this is far from easy to solve but the claims of En Fuego are solid and he gets the nod.
Alkhataaf (USA) 9-1 (9-0) Raced stand side, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 13, 9l behind The Confessor (9-0) at Salisbury 6f mdn stks (5) gs.
Crinan Classic 20-1 (8-6) Held up behind, hung right 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 5th of 7, 8l behind Prince Of Vasa (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Apr.
En Fuego 16-1 (9-3) Keen, with leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, slightly outpaced 1f out, edged right and rallied towards finish, 3rd of 11, 3/4l behind London Stripe (9-3) at Yarmouth 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Kakatosi 66-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride and hampered start, raced centre in rear, ridden and kept on final furlong, never nearer, 9th of 18, 7l behind Quick Wit (9-0) at Newmarket 7f mdn stks (4) gd in Oct.
Lean Machine 4-6fav (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 4l behind Glen Shiel (9-3) at Ffos Las 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sep.
Michael's Nook 50-1 (8-12) Always in rear, 10th of 14, 27l behind Whirly Dancer (8-7) at Folkestone 7f mdn stks (5) gs in Apr.
Panpiper 10-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, taken to race alone in centre of course over 3f out, driven along 2f out and soon no impression, 3rd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Velvet Band (8-12) at Brighton 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) fm in Jul.
Flambeau 14-1 (9-0) Prominent, every chance over 2f out, one pace towards finish, 5th of 16, 2 3/4l behind Qaraaba (9-0) at Salisbury 7f 2yo stks (5) sft in Oct.
Rosie's Magic 400-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 35l behind Hafawa (8-11) at Leicester 7f 2yo stks (3) gd in Oct.
Saigon Kitty (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, hung left and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 10l behind Timeless Stride (9-0) at Nottingham 6f 3yo mdn aut (5) gf.
Starclass 66-1 (9-0) Held up behind, headway over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Qaraaba (9-0) at Salisbury 7f 2yo stks (5) sft in Oct.
