wore hood to post, raced keenly towards rear, some headway far side of group
held up in mid-division, smooth headway near side of group over 1f out, went 2nd inside final 150 yards, stayed on to lead towards finish
held up towards rear, headway far side of group over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
pulled hard in mid-division, headway far side of group chasing leaders 4f out, weakened final 2f, eased
always towards rear, never on terms
raced keenly, led towards near side of group, shaken up 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well until headed and no extra towards finish
raced keenly tracking leaders, weakened quickly over 2f out
tracked leader until ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, hung left and kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
raced keenly tracking leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, never quite able to challenge, lost 2nd inside final 150 yards, kept on in 3rd
slowly away, well behind, pulled up quickly over 4f out
There is a feeling Nando Parrado did not get the kudos he deserved when springing a 150-1 shock in the Coventry Stakes at the Royal meeting last year. However, he proved his worth on two subsequent trips to France by finishing runner-up in Group 1 contests - the Prix Morny and the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere - both on ground with cut. He's an obvious contender but the same applies to CHINDIT (NAP), who is preferred. He looked a high-class colt when landing the Group 2 Champagne Stakes and his only disappointment in four starts came in the Dewhurst on soft ground, which he did not appear to relish. He's well worth another chance here. Similar comments apply to Mill Reef Stakes winner, Alkumait, and he is shortlisted along with the unexposed Xaario and northern raider Rhythm Master, who showed up well on all three juvenile outings.
Alkumait 12-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 14, 26 1/2l behind St Mark's Basilica (9-1) at Newmarket 7f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Chindit (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Held up, pushed along when not much room over 2f out, not pace to challenge, 9th of 14, 7 3/4l behind St Mark's Basilica (9-1) at Newmarket 7f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Fundamental 5-4fav (9-5) Close up behind leader, driven to lead 1f out, ran on well to hold on, won at Chelmsford City 1m stks (2) pol in Apr beating Qaader (9-5) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Huddleton Mac (IRE) Evensfav (9-5) Made all, came centre over 3f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, won at Sandown 7f mdn stks (5) gs in Aug beating The Kodi Kid (9-2) by 3 1/4l, 14 ran.
Insomnia 4-1 (8-13) Slightly awkward start, midfield, joined leading quartet well clear of rest halfway, ridden over 2f out, close up 4th entering final furlong, ran on strongly to lead close home, won at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar beating Alpha King (8-13) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Mehmento (IRE) 1-5fav (9-2) Tracked leader, switched right 6f out, led inside final 2f, soon clear, very easily, won at Southwell 7f stks (5) pol in Feb beating Beyond Infinity (10-0) by 13l, 5 ran.
Mujbar 5-1 (9-0) Slightly hampered start, held up in last pair, headway far side of group 2f out, led inside final furlong, soon ridden and stayed on well, won at Newbury 7f Grp 3 stks (1) hvy in Oct beating Percy's Lad (9-0) by 1l, 12 ran.
Nando Parrado (8-13) 2nd of 6, 8l behind Sealiway (8-13) at ParisLongchamp 7f Grp 1 hvy in Oct.
Rhythm Master (IRE) 3-1 (9-1) Towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway and switched left 2f out, went 3rd inside final 100 yards, no impression, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Alkumait (9-1) at Newbury 6f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in Sep.
The Lir Jet (IRE) 60-1 (8-10) 2wd btwn,mild rally, 7th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Fire At Will (8-10) at Keeneland 1m gd in Nov.
Xaario (FR) (8-13) 13th of 18, 19 1/4l behind Jadoomi (9-2) at ParisLongchamp 1m stks sft in Oct.
Oo De Lally (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Sat outside leader, tried to press for lead 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Fundamental (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m stks (2) pol in Apr.
