tracked winner centre, ridden well over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
made all centre, shaken up over 2f out, soon well clear over 1f out, impressive
held up behind centre group, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, no chance with first two
switched right to stand side soon after start, raced alone, disputed lead for well over 4f, ridden and soon weakened well over 1f out
held up rear centre group, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders centre, went 2nd well over 2f out, no chance with winner
A thrilling race in prospect here, with Domedriver going head-to-head with both Where Or When and last year's 'nearly' horse, Hawk Wing. The latter was second in both the Derby and its Irish equivalent last year, before taking the Eclipse over what is his optimum trip, 10 furlongs. Back over a mile here, he may again have to settle for a place against a specialist miler. Whatever the outcome it will be interesting to see how he comes on as a four-year-old. The same goes for Where Or When, who from a less fashionable yard was a revelation last season. Rated 123, the highest official mark of those that have run enough to achieve one, the Terry Mills-trained colt finished the year in style, when having two lengths to spare over Hawk Wing at Ascot in September and at this trip he is taken to confirm those placings again. However, he may still find one too good here in Domedriver. The Pascal Bary-trained horse took the notable scalp of Rock Of Gibraltar at the Breeders' Cup last year and showed he has wintered well with a narrow defeat in Group 2 company in France a couple of weeks ago. The forecast rain will definitely help him and with less traffic problems here, Thierry Thulliez can lay the ghost of his Newmarket nightmare and steer the five-year-old to victory. Tillerman and Desert Deer, who is better over slightly further, have place claims if the three leading protagonists do not give their running.
