held up in last pair, some headway far side and hung left over 1f out, never on terms, well beaten final furlong, eased
steadied start, held up in last pair, headway under pressure over 1f out, plugged on inside final furlong, went modest 4th towards finish, never going pace to threaten
with leader, led approaching final 2f, ridden over 1f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, kept on, always held
held up in touch, pushed along and not quicken over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leading pair, pushed along 3f out, ridden, hung right and weakened 2f out, hanging right when no chance and eased inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and not quicken when edged right just over 1f out, 3rd and one pace final furlong
raced keenly, led, headed approaching final 2f, lost 2nd well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, lost modest 4th towards finish
The mighty Kingman romped home in this last year and other recent winners include Paco Boy, Frankel and Olympic Glory. Only time will tell whether any of these are of similar standard but IVAWOOD looks to have every chance of developing into a top-class performer. Richard Hannon's stable has saddled the winner of this five times since the turn of the century and the son of Zebedee won three of his four runs over 6f last season. His only defeat came when beaten a head by Charming Thought in the Middle Park at Newmarket in October but he still finished a length-and-a-quarter ahead of Muhaarar. Belardo was behind the selection and Muhaarar in the July Stakes and only fourth behind Estidhkaar in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster but reversed form with the latter in the Dewhurst and is a danger on that form. Phoenix Stakes winner Dick Whittington's form ties in closely with several of these while Toocoolforschool was hugely impressive in the Mill Reef here in September, though that was on soft ground. Fanaan and Flaming Spear could find the step up in grade too much at this stage of their careers but should win more races this year.
Belardo (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Close up, not clear run over 1f out, squeezed through between horses inside final furlong, quickened to lead, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct beating Kodi Bear (9-1) by 2l, 6 ran.
Code Red 11-2 (9-1) Dwelt in rear, switched right and headway towards stand side 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, won at Doncaster 6f 2yo lst stk (1) sft in Oct beating Portamento (9-1) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Dick Whittington (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Chased leader early, soon settled behind leaders, 4th halfway, ridden to progress and bumped under 2f out, challenged 1f out, soon disputed, narrow lead final 100 yards, kept on well under pressure, won at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) sft in Aug beating Kool Kompany (9-3) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Estidhkaar (IRE) 11-8fav (9-1) Dwelt and slow into stride, raced wide never looked comfortable in rear, effort and every chance 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 5l behind Belardo (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Fannaan (USA) 8-13fav (9-3) Made all, shaken up over 1f out, quickened clear, eased inside final furlong, comfortable, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo stks (2) sft in Oct beating Hawkesbury (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 3 ran.
Flaming Spear (IRE) 11-10fav (9-5) Soon tracking leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, readily, won at York 6f 2yo mdn aut (3) gf in Jul beating Lady Gemini (9-0) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Ivawood (IRE) 1-2fav (9-0) Raced wide early, tracked leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, not quicken inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 6, ns behind Charming Thought (9-0) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Muhaarar 8-1 (9-0) Led, ridden 2f out, edged right and headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Charming Thought (9-0) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) sft in Oct.
Toocoolforschool (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Made all, ridden over 1f out, soon clear, ran on well final furlong, impressive, won at Newbury 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Sep beating Growl (9-1) by 7l, 6 ran.
