tracked leader, led over 2f out, hard driven and headed approaching final furlong, soon outpaced
soon tracking leader, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ran on strongly
led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
raced keenly tracking leaders, effort over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in rear but in touch, pushed along over 2f out, soon no impression
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, soon beaten
There seems no reason to oppose the unbeaten FRANKEL here. Henry Cecil's colt has already been placed in the superstar bracket by some pundits after a brilliant first season in which he was rarely extended. The son of Galileo even had the speed to overcome trouble in running when landing the Dewhurst Stakes over this trip at Newmarket in the autumn and is already odds-on with most layers for the 2000 Guineas at the end of the month. The pick of today's opposition is probably Strong Suit though Richard Hannon's colt, trying 7f for the first time here, was beaten nine lengths when runner-up in the Middle Park Stakes on his final start of last year and the winner, Dream Ahead, proved no match for Frankel subsequently. Picture Editor needs further and Vanguard Dream simply doesn't look good enough but Excelebration is probably open to further improvement this year and could make the frame.
Excelebration (IRE) 5-6fav (9-3) Keen early stages, held up tracking leaders, headway to lead going well over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo stks (3) gf in Jul beating Point Du Jour (8-13) by 2l, 7 ran.
Frankel 4-6fav (9-1) Hampered and bumped start, pulled hard, held up in touch in rear, switched right over 2f out, headway over 1f out, led 1f out, edged right and ran on, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct beating Roderic O'Connor (9-1) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Picture Editor 4-6fav (9-3) Held up in touch, headway 4f out, not clear run and switched right over 2f out, soon ridden, chased leading pair over 1f out, kept on, no impression final 75 yards, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Indigo Way (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f 2yo stks (2) gs in Oct.
Shropshire (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway 2f out, soon hung right, no impression over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 16l behind Approve (9-1) at York 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Strong Suit (USA) 7-2 (8-12) Held up, headway to challenge 2f out, led briefly over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Dream Ahead (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Vanguard Dream 9-4 (9-1) Led, set strong pace, headed just inside final furlong, soon hung left and weakened, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Dubawi Gold (9-1) at Lingfield 7f 3yo Listed stks (1) pol in Mar.
