took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden halfway, soon beaten
chased leaders, led over 1f out, hard ridden final furlong, driven and held on towards finish
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, not clear run 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway on wide outside over 1f out, strong run to chase winner inside final furlong, finished well
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, unable to quicken final furlong
in touch, pushed along halfway, soon behind
with leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
Oldjoesaid is proven in these testing conditions and while the lack of a recent outing would be a worry, he proved himself a very progressive colt last season. His appearances were few and far between and was unlucky to come up against a well handicapped sort in King Orchisios. Former smart juvenile Conquest returned from a break with a fine win at Lingfield. Rated 114 when commencing last season, he dropped down to 97, a mark off which he duly obliged. Up 5lb, he should be able to overcome that but the ground would be a major worry. Stoneacre Lad defied his large odds at Lingfield behind Conquest and has a 7lb pull with that rival for a 2 1/4l defeat. Winner of the Hong Kong Sprint at Ascot last year, he tends to go well when least expected to do so but it is hard to see him turn around the form with Conquest, although lengths and weights say he has a squeak. Dazed And Amazed has proven himself to go well fresh in the past and could go well as his form tails off as the season progresses. Oldjoesaid is open to further improvement and is taken to overcome the challenge of Conquest.
Conquest (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Close up, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 5f lst stk (1) pol in Mar beating Matsunosuke (9-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Oldjoesaid 9-4fav (9-4) Chased leaders, every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind King Orchisios (8-11) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.
Hogmaneigh (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Always outpaced, last of 17, 15l behind Benbaun (9-11) at Longchamp 5f Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Fullandby (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden and weakened 2f out, 15th of 17, 17l behind Greek Renaissance (9-1) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
The Trader (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 8, 10l behind Philharmonic (8-9) at Beverley 5f stk (3) gd in Sept.
King Orchisios (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Led stands side group, headed over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 17, 8l behind Pusey Street Lady (8-5) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Mar.
Stoneacre Lad (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, soon hung left, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Conquest (9-0) at Lingfield 5f lst stk (1) pol in Mar.
Dazed And Amazed 12-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on, 6th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Kay Two (8-7) at Bath 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Oct.
Elhamri 33-1 (8-12) Pulled hard, held up, ridden over 2f out, hung right and weakened over 1f ot, last of 6, 9l behind Welsh Emperor (9-0) at Leicester 7f stk (4) gs in Oct.